5 Fitness Tips You Need To Know If You’re An Overworked Parent

Being a parent is one of the toughest jobs out there, and many feel that they are too overworked and overtired to add fitness into their daily schedules. Despite the hectic life many parents juggle, it is essential to incorporate a fitness regime into the daily routine. If you are a parent that doesn’t have a lot of time on your hands, there’s no need to worry! It is possible to work fitness into your daily schedule. You will not only feel better about yourself, but you will also be able to have the energy to be the best parent you can possibly be.

Every Minute Counts

If your idea of a fitness routine includes a two hour trip to the gym, you may have to adjust your perspective in order to fit exercise into your busy schedule. Being able to devote that much time to exercise is great, but understanding that any exercise is better than none is also important. Use break times at work to walk around the building, do push ups while dinner is cooking at home, or jog with your kids to the local park as a way to use every minute of your day for a healthy purpose. Then, utilize the time you have on the weekends to devote to a longer workout routine at the gym if that is a feasible option for you.

Work Out at Home

Sometimes, it is impossible to fit in gym time no matter how hard you try. That can be a frustrating realization for a lot of people as they try to better themselves with a healthy fitness routine. Thankfully, there are many great programs and pieces of equipment available that can help you workout right in the comfort of your own home. Take an inventory of what your favorite thing to do is in regards to fitness and make an investment in that piece of equipment or program. You will love the convenience of being able to workout once the kids are in bed or early in the morning before everyone wakes up. In addition, your equipment will pay for itself eventually with the amount of money you are saving in gym membership fees!

Meal Plan

Fitness isn’t just about exercising, it is important to eat a healthy diet as well. An overworked parent can find it difficult to eat healthy lunches during the week, but it is essential to maintain good nutrition. Take an hour on Sunday evenings to prep your lunches for the week. One great idea is to create five Mason Jar Salads for each day of your work week. Then, all you have to do in the morning is pop it in your bag and you’re good to go!

Check out the video below for more meal planning tips.

Make a List

Making a grocery list might seem like an ordinary part of weekly shopping for some, but for busy parents it can be the last thing on their minds. It is important to make a list so that you can go through the store with the least amount of stress possible and also make healthy decisions along the way. Make sure to shop for lots of fruits and veggies, and have your meal plan in mind so that you don’t have to make extra trips throughout the week!

Find a Partner

One of the greatest tips that can be given for busy parents is to find another busy parent to keep you accountable. Work out together, text each other your meal prep pictures on Sunday nights, and be a listening ear when one of you needs to vent your frustrations. This is crucial for both your physical and emotional health and will keep you from falling of the wagon when life gets overwhelming.

It is possible to be a busy, overworked, parent, and still maintain a healthy lifestyle. Don’t get discouraged by your schedule, use it to your advantage! Try to stick to these tips for a minimum of 30 days and you will look back at the month and be proud of what you were able to accomplish.