Fitness: FitFeb – Halfway point – Tips and Tricks to help get you moving each day.
February 16 – just past the half way point in February, and with less than 2 weeks to go with Fitfeb – how are you doing, girls? Our challenge of finding 20 minutes to be more active during your day, every day for the month – easy, right?
Well, maybe not as easy as it first sounded…… Especially with kids, work, family commitments pulling you in every direction as it is…. Even that 20 minutes can sometimes feel out of reach, a legitimate challenge. We get it – we live that life too, just like you! In the past week alone between us we’ve had 8 days of kids’ home from school/ kindy, one broken arm, one split head, two ear infections, husbands travelling – but this is life – and we love it! But, it means that we’ve got to make things work in and around all of this chaos.
So, here are our Top Tips for getting it DONE (sometimes, against all of the odds!):
1. EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM. Try to get your exercise done early. This will help you tick it off your list before the day gets away from you. No, we are definitely NOT natural early birds. But, I simply do not have the energy to try and do any training at nighttime now (since I’ve had kids, that is) and that was always my preferred time to train… You’ve got to try and get out of bed early and just get. It. Done. Set the alarm 30 minutes earlier and do it, girls. Start with one early morning first. Surely you can get up early one day, right? Meet someone else. Make a commitment with a friend to motivate you. Getting out of bed is the hardest part and once you get up, you will really NEVER regret this one. EVER!
2. DRESS FOR SUCCESS. Whenever possible, put your exercise gear on in the morning, as soon as you get up. If you are dressed, you can snatch 20 mins of exercise at any time, whenever you get the chance – even if it is 10 mins here and 10 mins there – it all adds up and the bonus with the short sharp hit-outs is the each time you move, your metabolism will respond. So, dust off your leggings and sneakers and put them on as soon as you wake up. Also, there has never been a time where getting around in your “activewear” has been more acceptable, so jump on the bandwagon!!
3. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. You will NOT be able to exercise at a high intensity every day and we certainly do not recommend this – you will not recover properly and will leave yourself open to injury – so please, listen to your body. If you are feeling flat, please don’t skip the session altogether, just scale it back a bit – you were planning on going for a run, maybe walk or download a yoga session instead. Or alternatively, are you bursting out of your skin with energy, well ramp it up a bit – seek out a more hilly walking/ running route, do 10 minutes more than usual, make the most of the extra energy – we all know how rare those days can be! But, remember, something is ALWAYS better than nothing, so listen to your body each day and adjust your session accordingly.
4. BE FLEXIBLE. Can’t get out to exercise because you’ve got the kids? Or one of your kids is home sick with you? Husband is travelling and you are unable to leave the kids at home. Yes, yes, and yes – this is our life – almost weekly! We all need to be flexible – because if there is nothing else that we have learned since having kids is, that no two days are ever the same. EVER! And if we are to achieve what we want for our health and fitness, we must be flexible. SO, can’t get out? Do something at home! You can do a great workout from home with NO equipment. Trust us as we do that a few days a week! So, you might love hitting the gym, but it won’t always happen, so please be flexible. In most cases, excuses are just that – excuses – and if flexible, you can still achieve what you want. We regularly post workouts on IG if you are looking for some at-home inspiration.
5. GET EVERYONE INVOLVED. Get your family on board and get them out exercising with you. Explain to your kids the importance of moving – chances are that they could do with a little extra too. Suggest to a girlfriend that you do a walk instead of sitting in a coffee shop (she will probably be glad for the exercise too!). Ask for help. Leave the kids with your mum/ friend/ husband/ neighbor while you do your 20 minutes (or more!). Get everyone on board with your goals and it would take a tough nut to say ‘no’ to that!
While it is easy to find reasons to NOT prioritise your health and wellbeing – we are here to tell you mummas that you MUST! Not only for your health, but for the health of your whole family. If the “mother-ship” goes down, the entire fleet suffers – so use Fitfeb as the motivation that you might have been looking for.
Try some of the tips above and see how you go…. Only 12 days to go girls – let’s do this! Like these tips? Leave us a note if you want more. If you need more help in getting organized or finding a way to exercise – drop us a line at hello@soulsisterhealth.com.au We would love to hear from you!
Anna & Em xo
