When you have a family, it’s tough to fit everything in. Babies and toddlers demand all of your attention. Grade school and tweens look to you for support. Even teenagers want to spend time with you, even if they pretend you’re not in the same room.
Running from carpool to work, to meetings and after school activities, it’s difficult to find the time to take care of you. We all know exercise is an important part of life, but how do you fit it all in? Unfortunately, your daily workouts are often the first thing to go when duty calls. But there is a way to put it back into your routine and have fun in the process.
Prioritize It
We often schedule activities for our kids because we understand it builds character and keeps them active. So we rush to piano lessons, soccer practice, and picking up the group after play practice. Each and every one of those activities is on your calendar. Why not put your workouts on the calendar too?
How about heading to the rock climbing gym on Saturday mornings? Or a hike in your local park on Sunday afternoon? When something is on the calendar, you’re more likely to accomplish it. And when you calendar it, you’re also less likely to schedule something else. That makes both fitness and family time a priority.
Compete
Instead of working out alone, find a way to workout as a family. Then turn it into a competition. Hit the basketball court and see how many shots you can each make from the free-throw line. Set up an obstacle course and see how many minutes it takes each of you to run it. Of course, your five year old will quickly learn she can’t keep up with you, but this is the perfect opportunity to teach about personal bests. How can you do better each time you’re out for a run?
If you set up different sports and different opportunities, it’s the perfect chance to teach all kinds of skills. How about sportsmanship? Or warm ups and cool downs? Or how to destress after busy days? Or how to take care of your body? No matter how you play and how competitive you get, it’s being a part of the team that matters most.
Celebrate
Always be on the lookout for ways to celebrate your successes. Have you shaved off a few seconds on your mile run? Did you swim laps for a personal best? Or do you simply feel great after a challenging workout?
Share it with the family. Celebrate your successes along the way. Help your kids discover that fitness and activity aren’t about winning all the time; it’s about helping you feel good about you. That’s a lifelong skill that keeps on giving, all throughout their lives.