5 Tips for fitting in Exercise as a Busy Mom
Becoming a mom means your entire life and body undergo a lot of changes. Fitting in exercise during pregnancy, postpartum and beyond into motherhood will probably look different than any other phase of your life.
Photography by Jenn Pagnucco
Becoming a mom means your entire life and body undergo a lot of changes. Fitting in exercise during pregnancy, postpartum and beyond into motherhood will probably look different than any other phase of your life. Instead of feeling frustrated with the changes or giving up on your exercise routine all together, try these 5 tips to make exercising easier as a mom.
You don’t need a full hour to get a good workout in.
Finding time to exercise as a parent is not easy. Luckily, you don’t need a full hour (or even 30 minutes) to get a great workout in. At Core Love, we work with busy moms and parents so every workout we create can be adjusted to take between 5-45 minutes. Sometimes our members even break the workout up and complete it in 10 minute chunks throughout the day. Adjusting your expectations about how long workouts need to be is often the biggest game changer when it comes to fitting in workouts as a mom. (Want some short core workouts designed specifically for a mother’s body? Grab them free at www.corelove.ca/resources).
Photography by Jenn Pagnucco
Keep your gear near.
You don’t need much to get a great workout at home. A few bands and weights or heavy household items can do the trick. Having a dedicated workout space in your home might work well but for many busy moms, keeping their exercise gear close makes it easier to get a workout done. Consider keeping some bands and weights in your kitchen or living room. Some squats while you wait for food to cook or glute bridges while you play on the floor with your baby are easy ways to get more movement in without taking much time.
Skip the workout clothes.
Changing into workout clothes and shoes takes valuable minutes that you might not have as a mom. The truth is, you don’t need special workout clothes or even shoes to workout! Working out in bare feet can actually be great for your body (and your pelvic floor!). Skip the extra step and just start moving in whatever you are wearing.
Photography by Jenn Pagnucco
Fuel your exercise.
If you haven’t eaten enough food, you won’t have the energy to exercise. In those early months and years of motherhood, many moms get through the day on caffeine and maybe some kids leftovers. No wonder we don’t feel motivated to burn energy with exercise! Do your best to eat full meals with a mix of protein, carbs, fiber and some fat so that you actually have the energy to move your body.
Have a BAM (Bare A** Minimum)
At Core Love, we know you are busy and giving so much of yourself to care for your family. But we want to remind you that YOU and your care are important too. Everyone deserves a BAM (Bare A** minimum) level of self care. Whether that is 5 minutes a day or 2 workouts a week, think about what your BAM is for this season of life, and then do your best to make sure you get it.
6) **Bonus tip: Have a plan or a program to follow. Having a pre-planned program to follow means you aren’t wasting time on YouTube or Social Media searching for free workouts when you could actually be getting your exercise in! Pregnancy, birth and postpartum bring a lot of changes to your core, pelvic floor and hormonal system. Other changes like diastasis recti, prolapse, leaking and pelvic pain might mean that the workouts you did pre-pregnancy are not the best exercises for this new version of your body. Following a program designed specifically for mothers’ saves valuable brain space and gives you the confidence that the workout you are doing is safe and effective for your body as a mother.
Lastly, be kind to yourself. Know that this phase of life is one of the most demanding and challenging that you will go through. The better care you can give yourself during this phase, the better you will feel. And you deserve to feel amazing.
Kaye Burrows
Core Love Fitness
Brenna Dixon - Makeup by Brenna Lauren
Hello fellow boss babes; with over 15 years of doing faces; I have mastered bridal and boudoir makeup.
Hello fellow boss babes; with over 15 years of doing faces; I have mastered bridal and boudoir makeup. I absolutely love glamming up my clients for their special day and photoshoots. It all started when going to college for marketing and needed a part time job; I focused on my passion which is makeup and fashion and quickly applied to MAC cosmetics in YYC. Little did I know I would be doing makeup for a living. I realized there was a great opportunity to start my free lancing business and opened in 2008. After moving to Edmonton in 2010; I quickly rebuilt my clientele and started a family. I have a beautiful blended family of four children and three dogs; to say I am living the dream is an understatement. I love my YEG clients; and continue to work in YYC and my hometown of YLL. I love hitting up the lake in the summer; boating; fires; downhill skiing and all things music!
Brenna Dixon
(780) 263 8300
Edmonton, Alberta
Mad Love Monday - Kaytlyn Beakhouse, Sort & Simple Professional Organizing
Hi there, I’m Kaytlyn! I am the Owner and Lead Organizer of Sort & Simple Professional Organizing. I love transforming people’s lives through simplifying their space.
Image @christinalouisebranding
Hi there, I’m Kaytlyn!
I am the Owner and Lead Organizer of Sort & Simple Professional Organizing. I love transforming people’s lives through simplifying their space.
Why did you start this business?
Now more than ever, it is VERY easy to accumulate stuff. However, it’s not as easy to get rid of items. Most of us can relate to the feelings of stress, overwhelm and even paralysis that a big ol’ pile of stuff can create. Disorganization can impede our productivity, hinder efficiency, and can even cause feelings of guilt and shame.
This is where Sort & Simple comes in! Through the power of decluttering and the implementation of functional systems, not only can we create a welcoming space, creativity and confidence soar too!
Why do you love being an entrepreneur?
After a decade long career in the healthcare field, I had reached a plateau in my learning and development. I was craving a new challenge!
Owning my own business has filled many of the gaps I had in my previous career - I get to build meaningful, long-term relationships, and utilize my creativity and handy-girl skills. The best part is that I am challenged every day and am constantly learning. I love it!
What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned so far?
When it comes to organizing an important lesson I’ve learned is to be continuously adaptable. Every client has a unique way of using their space and belongings, so I need to keep an open mind to their preferences and find solutions that make sense to them. Often that means using a system very different from what I would want in my home!
As for the business side of things, I have learned that I cannot control everything. When I finally realized that there is a limit to my capacity a huge weight lifted off my chest. By giving myself permission to set work boundaries, delegate tasks, and to be patient with the process I have had more opportunities present themselves and am having a lot more fun along the way. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Do you want to chat non-stop about the magic of decluttering and organizing?
Let's connect!
Image @christinalouisebranding
