How To Fit In Fitness When You're A Parent

Being a parent is brilliant. You've created a small version of you (and your partner) that you can nurture, love and watch grow. But with that come a set of issues, usually on the amount of time you now have. Now, you could be a parent with a loving partner, you could be a single parent who shares contact with your ex, or you could be the sole carer of your child. No matter which, in this day and age where most of us work, have social lives and responsibilities, are absolutely shot when we walk in the door at night, who the hell has time for fitness?! 

Well, as a parent who has their kids 100% of the time and manages to fit in a full time job, pets, friends and the upkeep of a house, I'm going to share how I manage to do this. It isn't easy, by any stretch. But it isn't impossible. I've thought about how to present these tips to you, and I think it's best as a set of questions to ask yourself. So here goes. 

1. Why do you want to get fit?

Now, if your motivation is purely aesthetic, that isn't going to keep you motivated to fit exercise into your schedule. It cant just be about that. Yeah, looking good is a pretty awesome bonus. But it has to be about something more. As society stands now, most people are after instant gratification. If you're looking to shape up, that process isn't going to be instant. So no gratification for you! 

Shaping your body is like pulling a piece of toilet roll off one piece at a time. You think that one small piece makes no difference, but soon enough the roll has depleted in size.  If you want to stay motivated or dedicated you need something instant to keep you coming back. So what could that be? Well, what about endorphins - the feel good factor after a workout? Or your mental wellbeing? Or smashing a distance/time/rep goal? If working out makes you smile every time you do it, you'll keep coming back and ripping off that piece of loo roll, which will make the longer term differences happen. And there you'll have it - bonus body changes.

2. What is your time management like?

As a parent with kids full time, I drew the shorter straw than most in time available to me.

Perhaps you have time when your kids are at a club, are with the other parent or you have an evening to yourself a couple of times a week. Allocate at least some of that time to exercise. 

Me? To get my training in I get up earlier than my kids to do a cardio session each morning. Sometimes it's only 20 minutes if I'm pushed for time, but it still makes a world of difference. Then I add in an evening workout whilst homework, baths, relaxing is happening. If you gave up just one episode of Eastenders or Love Island (or whatever people watch nowadays) or scrolling on your phone, you could fit in a 30 minute workout. It's really that easy.

When I want to get in a long run I usually get up at 4am to make sure I get in the time. It sounds extreme, but if you're willing to make time then you can do pretty much anything. 

3. How much rest do you get?

Rest. I'm totally guilty of not getting enough of it. But it's super important if you want to fit in fitness. There are days when I just know I need recovery rather than to push my limits. There are days where I know I need to slow it down. Getting enough sleep helps in so many ways. Just ask those people who don't get enough - it's debilitating. The best times of my life, training wise, were when sleep held enough of an importance as protein and regular weight training. Prioritise sleep - it'll change your life for the better!

4. How important is it that you take care of yourself?

Being a parent can take it's toll on your identity. You're second now; putting your child first. And this can seep into other areas of life - work, partner, family, friends, responsibilities - all of these can come before YOU and your wellbeing. I say to that - flip the switch! You cant pour from an empty cup. 

How you take care of yourself is an example to your children and also shows others how much care you do or don't require from them. Having some healthy boundaries to factor in time to do something for you is a must. Life is fast paced and it's so easy to get dragged into a rut. Make taking care of your health a necessity. Start out with 15 minutes doing something that will make you feel healthier and good about yourself. A 15 minute walk alone with some good music to listen to, a 15 minute dance class, a 15 minute hiit workout, 15 minutes of yoga. Moving your body and doing something out of the ordinary and something that isn't an obligation will spur you on. Take care of yourself. 

5. What example do you want to set for your kids?

This is a big one for me. Sometimes I feel guilty when I compete in a race and it takes a day to recover. Shouldn't my Saturday be completely about family time, instead of competing and recovery? Well, not really. What I've found is:

a) my kids are really proud of me (they even made me a homemade medal rack for Christmas - totally cute!). They never mind me getting in a quick tabata, taking the morning to race, snuggling down with food and a movie when I'm recovering. They just want me to be happy, healthy and doing something that makes them proud. They know they are the priority. Because they truly are

b) when I'm pushing it through a really tough workout my youngest will stand by me and yell "keep going mumma, just one more rep/20 more seconds to go!" She loves watching me go hell-for-leather (she thinks it's funny!)

c) my kids have joined in workouts because they look fun - I love when this happens!

d) I've inspired my youngest to run and she sometimes comes to do sprints with me around our local park

e) both kiddos know that fitness makes me a better mum; happy, content and fulfilled. They also have a really great basis of understanding about nutrition, health and both are confident in their own skin. I couldn't hope for more. These are the tools that a lot of young people today are devoid of. So many young people watch the world through their phones - they see other people live out goals, but they don't experience the work, dedication and the glorious funny moments first hand. They don't grow up with the tools to keep healthy, eat well and have healthy hobbies. In keeping fitness as part of my life, my kids have those tools in theirs

So, if you can give yourself a gratifying 'why', dedication to making time, get some decent rest, prioritise taking care of yourself and make fitness an example to your kiddos, then you can TOTALLY fit this into your routine. This has to be about YOU. Time and work for you. Fall in love with taking care of yourself. 

Love, 

Gigi x