Like many busy moms, I struggle with staying fit and working enough physical activity into my daily routine. When I am facing a long day, the idea of taking a chunk of time and dedicating it to exercise can seem daunting. I know the rewards are great, but often the time is scarce. Because I do love physical activity and the way I feel when I keep my activity level up, I had to come up with several creative ways to add exercise to my daily routine.

7 Ways to Add Exercise to Your Daily Routine

1. Get up a little earlier. You may not be a morning person by any measure, but getting up just 20 minutes earlier than usual gives you a little time for a short run, several sets of floor exercises, or time to ride a stationary bike. Plus, you will feel better and the rest of your day will likely be more productive.
2. Choose something over nothing at all. Maybe you have to run 5 miles before you feel like you’ve accomplished a good run. Or maybe you need to complete an hour of yoga to feel like you have succeeded. Forget about that! Get whatever amount of exercise in that you can. You will feel better running a mile over doing nothing at all.
3. Get the kids involved. Today’s kids are often not getting enough exercise, so include them when you can. My daughter loves to do exercise videos with me and my son likes to run. When I plan to involve them, they hold me accountable and encourage me to be diligent.
4. Rethink your chores. If you are performing physical chores, re-imagine them as exercise and focus. If you have to rake leaves, put your abs into it and use that rake with a purpose! If you are dusting, put on some music and dance while you dust. When you move, use your muscles purposefully and think about fitness.
5. Play when they do. If the kids are playing independently in the yard or at the park, get your booty in gear! Instead of just watching them play, run laps around the park (staying close enough to be responsible of course), practice pull-ups on the playground bars, do lunges across the grass, or whatever you can think of.
6. Take a walk. If you take any breaks in your day, replace just one of them with a short walk. Instead of sitting down with some tea to rest for 30 minutes, grab a travel cup and take a quick walk around the block.
7. Choose an accountability partner. It can be hard to stick to goals when you are on your own. Enlist a friend to join you in your efforts and you will have more fun and increase your chances of success. Check in with one another daily to see what you have accomplished.

I hope you can embrace something on this list and move yourself closer to a fitness level you can be happy with. You can do it!

How do you add physical activity to your day? Leave a comment below.

About the Author

Hello! I am Janice from Celebrating Family and I am so excited to be visiting with you today on Measuring Flower. TJ was kind enough to let me guest post on her amazing site. Feel free to visit me anytime over at Celebrating Family anytime.

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