Fitness Tips for Busy Parents When the Kids Go Back to School

Even though summer break is fun because of the quality time to share with the family, many parents agree that it feels like a bit of relief when the kids are going back to school in the fall. It can be challenging to keep up with routines and personal care during summer break because there are so many responsibilities to keep the kids engaged and entertained throughout the day. It can be hard to implement fitness tips when your children are always around.

But the season is changing! Once school starts again, parents can find small windows of time to fit in self-care, including diet and exercise goals. Many parents agree that it’s a bit easier to find free time for themselves when the kids are out of the house for part of the day.

Fitness During the School Year

As you are setting up morning routines and evening dinner calendars, make sure to mark a place on the calendar when you can prioritize time for yourself. Working out not only helps you feel stronger and more energized, but exercise is an essential step to feeling good about your body. It boosts your self-confidence! When you feel good about yourself, then you show up as a better parent for your family.

Your new fitness routine doesn’t need to be hours a day. Instead, look for a spare hour here and there where you can go to the gym or do a quick at-home workout. Every little bit adds up, helping you become a healthier and fitter version of you.

Make sure to maximize the time that is available in the mornings or during the school day. It feels impossible to fit a workout in when the kids get home from school in the afternoons. So, during school hours (or early mornings) are often the ideal times to fit in your exercise routines.

Exercise Ideas During the School Year

There are many ways you can build fitness tips into your schedule. Ideally, create a “habit chain” where your workout routine is part of the daily schedule. Here are a few ideas that you might try:

• Walking to School: Do you need to walk the kids to school in the morning? Make sure to put on your workout clothes and lace up your running shoes. After the student’s head into the school building, it’s the perfect opportunity to fit in a few miles of running so you can get your cardio for the day.
• Driving to School: If you drive your kids to school, then go to the gym after the drop-off. Make sure to leave the house ready to workout so there isn’t a temptation to go home before the gym. Going back home can slow your momentum and make it harder to get out to your fitness class or workout routine.
• Bring the Kids Along: Another option is to give the kids an activity in the afternoon while you are working out. For example, when you pick your children up from school in the afternoon, everyone can head to the gym together. The kids can spend time in daycare while you fit in a quick workout.

There’s always a way to fit in 30 – 60 minutes of exercise. You might need to be creative with your schedule. But make it a priority! Taking care of your health at this point in your life will have a long-lasting impact to optimize your health in the later years. These fitness tips can help you stay on track.

Structuring the Morning/Evening Routines

Another important aspect to set your family up for success is by creating morning and evening routines. It can be hectic to get everyone out of the house in the mornings, especially if you are trying to cook breakfast, prepare school lunches, and meal prep for yourself at the same time.

Here are a few tips to help you stay on track with your diet and daily routines.

• Prepare the Night Before: Instead of rushing around in the morning to prepare lunches and pick out fitness clothing at the same time, take a few minutes the night before to prepare in advance. 15 minutes of prep work before bed can make a big difference to help the morning routine flow better.
• Meal Prep on the Weekends: If you know that it’s going to be a busy week, then be proactive about meal prepping when you have time on the weekends. For example, you can take a few hours on Sunday afternoon to pre-make lunches for your kids and serving-sized portions of healthy foods for yourself. Having these foods on hand will simplify things when you are hungry and in a rush to get out the door.
• Ask for Help When Necessary: You don’t have to do it all on your own! If you are a working parent, then there are limited hours in the day. Consider hiring a “mother’s helper” or a nanny to help for a few hours each week. Not only can they lend a hand with the kids while you are working out, but many times the hired help will also be willing to assist with grocery shopping, food preparation, and more.

Remember that structure in your day helps to minimize stress. And keeping stress levels low is an essential part of caring for your overall health.

Setting Yourself Up for Success

There are a few other things that you can do to stay more consistent with these fitness tips during the school year. For example, pick an exercise that you enjoy, because it is easier to stay consistent with your routine when you are looking forward to your workouts.

Also, look for ways to make every minute count. Some parents find that a standing treadmill desk is the answer when they need to join work meetings and still want to get their steps in for the day.

Sometimes, a bit of creativity can go a long way to help you stay on track with your fitness goals. If you are looking for a gym to call home during the school year, then join Fitness Nation today. We are here to help!