How to Maintain a Fitness Routine as a Single Mom

Finding Balance with Exercise and Motherhood

As a single mom, you’re in charge of a lot! Your household, work duties, kids, social calendars and more. But wait, what about your fitness routine? No, I’m not speaking a foreign language and you must have heard by now that it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle as a single parent. This is a great way to ensure that you will be healthy and available to meet the needs of your family. Your kids need you around for as long as possible. I know! I know! Because your kids need you so much, it’s almost impossible to find a balance between life, leisure and fitness. It may seem challenging at first, but eventually, it becomes a regular part of your routine.

There are various ways to incorporate fitness into a daily or weekly routine as a single mom. Make it a priority, don’t make excuses and if you get off track, get up and jump right back into it. Don’t view fitness as exercise, but instead as a way of life. When it’s done right, exercise and fitness routines can help you to feel energized. You must admit, every single mom could benefit from a little extra energy, right? Here are a few ways to slowly introduce a fitness regimen into an already hectic schedule as a single mom.

• Wake up an hour earlier to add fitness to the schedule
• Take 30-minutes of an hour lunch to walk around the park or work
• Make a schedule that allocates 2 to 3 times per week to workout
• Join a fitness class at work
• Find out if your job offers perks for working out or joining a gym
• Set aside at least 30-minutes at home to work out to DVD or music alone

There are amazing benefits to adding a fitness routine to your lifestyle as a single mom. It is easily accomplished when you capitalize on every opportunity to be fit. Understand that a fitness routine doesn’t need to have guidelines or even be organized. If you have young kids, playing in the park, around the house or in the backyard is a great way to implement fitness into your lifestyle. There are many types of exercises that you can do with your children! Here are a few other ideas to sneak a little fitness into your busy life.

• Park away from the door to walk further when out shopping
• If working at a desk, do leg raises and arm circles during down-times
• Walk to neighborhood stores or the post office if you live near them
• If your home has stairs or steps, go up and down them daily for at least 15-minute interval
• Visit a Zumba or aerobics class sponsored by a church or community group

Single moms have many things that they stress over, and an occasional workout is a great stress reliever. Make time for fitness to help you feel your best during those times that would otherwise cause you to stress. As a single mom, it’s equally as important to care for yourself, just as you care for others. Add fitness to your lifestyle one step at a time and reap the benefits of healthy and happy living.

This article was originally posted on www.midlifesinglemommy.com February 2018

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