Introduction
Ah, being a mom. It’s one of the toughest jobs out there! As if it’s not hard enough to keep things running smoothly at home with all of your day-to-day responsibilities, trying to make time for physical activity can feel like a daunting task. Despite the fact that it might seem like the last thing you have time for, making sure that you incorporate physical activity into your daily life is the key to staying healthy for busy moms.
Why being physically active is important for busy moms — Studies have shown that regular physical activity helps to reduce stress, promote better sleep, boost energy levels, and may even help to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. It’s also important to make sure that you’re taking care of your own health and well-being so that you can continue to be there for your family.
Benefits of becoming more physically active — Regular physical activity can help to build strength, tone muscles, and improve overall physical fitness. But the rewards of an active lifestyle don’t just end there. Making time for physical activity can also help to reduce risks for chronic diseases and even improve mental focus.
To help make it easy for busy parents to make time for physical activity, we’ve put together a list of the seven best calorie-burning workouts that can help you get fit and have fun. So let’s get started!
7 Calorie-Burning Workouts
Being a busy mom isn’t easy, but there is good news; there are a ton of calorie-burning workouts you can do when you are short on time! Here are our top 7 calorie-burning workouts for busy moms:
a. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) – Packed with intensity and fun, HIIT provides the perfect blend of cardio, intervals, and resistance training. This form of exercise has you going all-out for short bursts of time, while also taking breaks in between to catch your breath. Not only that, but you’ll be sure to be burning calories at an intense pace throughout your HIIT workout.
b. Running – Running is a great way to burn extra calories, plus it gets you out of the house for a breath of fresh air. It’s also one of the most effective forms of cardio, working not only your entire body, but also your mental grit, too. Whether you’re outside running or doing a treadmill workout, running helps you to push yourself to the max.
c. Resistance Training – Resistance training is an often forgotten (but extremely important!) form of exercise that can help you to build muscle and torch calories. Lifting weights is a great way to work multiple muscles at once and get your heart rate up. Focus on using multiple joint exercises to really maximize your calorie burn.
d. Pilates – Pilates is a low-impact exercise that focuses on using your body weight to build lean muscle and get your heart rate up. A great thing about Pilates is that it can be done pretty much anywhere, as long as you have enough space. Bonus; Pilates can be especially soothing for busy moms.
e. Core Training – Many of us busy moms can often feel sore in our core from all the bending and lifting we do for our families. To prevent any lingering aches and pains, it’s important to devote some time to training your core. Core-focused exercises such as planks, leg raises, and mountain climbers are all great ways to fire up your abs and burn some calories.
f. Swimming – You don’t have to train for a triathlon to reap the benefits of a regular swim session. Swimming is a fantastic full-body exercise that will get you sweating in no time. Moving through the water offers a peaceful and refreshing atmosphere, taking you away from your stresses.
g. Yoga – Another great way to carefully care for your body while burning calories is by participating in a yoga class. This form of exercise focuses on mindfully controlling your breaths while moving through poses. Not only will you be happily increasing mobility, you’ll also be able to enjoy some much-needed ‘me’ time.
Tips for Staying Motivated & Getting Started
Achieving your fitness goals can seem daunting, especially when you’re a busy mom trying to manage the demands of your career and home life. However, with a few simple tips and tricks, you can stay motivated and get started on your fitness journey.
a. Setting Achievable Goals – The key to staying motivated is to set achievable goals that you can work towards. Start with a goal that is realistic and attainable, like walking for 10 minutes every day. As you progress, you can increase the intensity and duration of your workouts. Setting achievable goals will help you stay motivated and keep you on track.
b. Breaking Up Workouts into 10-Minute Intervals – If you’re a busy mom, you probably don’t have much time to spare for a long workout session. That’s why breaking up your workouts into 10-minute intervals is essential. Instead of trying to squeeze an hour-long workout into an already overdrawn schedule, break it up into manageable segments. This will allow you to fit it into your day and reap the benefits of exercise without feeling overwhelmed.
c. Taking Time Each Day For Yourself – As a busy mom, it can be easy to put your needs on the back burner while you try to balance your career, home life, and all the other demands of motherhood. That’s why taking time each day for yourself is so important. Make time to go for a walk, stretch, do some yoga, or practice your favorite exercises. By taking a few minutes each day just for yourself, you will be more energized for your other tasks.
d. Finding a Buddy to Help Keep You Accountable – Having a friend to help you stay accountable and motivated can be an invaluable tool in achieving your fitness goals. Find a buddy who shares your goals and discuss strategies for staying on track. Together, you can develop a plan and encourage each other to reach your fitness goals.
Following these tips will help you stay motivated on your fitness journey, no matter how busy life gets. With a few simple steps, you can take control of your fitness goals and make sure you reach success.
Conclusion
Regular physical activity has huge benefits for busy moms – for themselves and for their babies. It can be challenging to find the time to fit physical activity into a busy mom’s schedule, but the rewards of increased energy and improved mood, to name a few, make it worth it. The key is to start small and build up gradually. Try the crunches in the living room for just 1 minute every day and work your way up. Or try a walking or jogging routine, with a stroller, around the neighborhood. And when you need a break, the 7 calorie-burning workouts in this blog article provide great ideas. With a little creativity and dedication, you can easily find ways to stay physically active and increase your energy, strength and mood. You and your babies deserve it!
