Thanks to YouFit Health Clubs for sponsoring this post, opinions are 100% my own.
We all kickoff the new year with big goals, which is awesome! For many people, that includes eating healthier and getting in shape. Exercise is beneficial for many reasons, so I think it is a worthy goal. However, if you are a busy bee like me, reality quickly sets in.
“How the heck am I supposed to find time to work out when I can barely find time to shower?!”
I think this is a common problem many moms can relate to. With young kids and full-time job I felt like I would NEVER get back into the swing of exercising. But wait! Don’t toss your ‘skinny’ mom jeans just yet! It IS possible to find time to exercise and I know this is true, since I have found it! So if you really and truly don’t have time to workout, then this post is for you!
How to workout when you have literally no time:
Start Small: Make small goals to start off with. My goal is to workout 3 times a week. If you are going from nothing that is a great place to start, in my opinion. If the thought of a 45 minute workout sounds daunting, why not try 15 minutes. It is short enough to be do-able and long enough to notice some mood-boosting affects!
Look at Your Schedule: Could you wake up 30 minutes early to fit in some exercise? Could you sneak in a workout while your kids nap? After they go to bed? My husband and I take turns going to the gym on weekends. He goes early and when he comes home, I go. We both get some time to ourselves without feeling guilty. Take a look at your day and see where you might be able to workout a few days a week. Usually, just moving a few things around will free up time you didn’t think you had.
Invest in Home Gym Equipment: Before kids, I would regularly take specialty classes at yoga or pilates studios, with some spin classes thrown in when I felt like it. I went to the gym all the time before work. Oh what a glorious time that was! I still love taking classes and I always have a gym membership, but the reality is I can only fit that in on the weekends. I have to workout early in the morning during the week or else I won’t workout at all.
Since I work out when my kids are still sleeping or getting ready for school, going for a walk wasn’t an option for me. I needed a cardio machine. The good thing about home gym equipment, is that you can usually get it for a deal since many people invest in this stuff and don’t ever use it. Craigslist and Facebook groups are a great place to look. (please use common sense when purchasing things from strangers) Ask friends and family if they have any workout machines they want to get rid of, or are willing to let you borrow. I got my elliptical machine for $200 and I freaking LOVE it.
YouTube is Your Friend: There are a TON of amazing workout videos on YouTube! You can search arm workouts, booty workouts, abs and so much more! If you have a workout guru you love, there is a good chance you can find some free videos from them on YouTube! After I had Mila, I did the 30-day shred from Jillian Michaels thanks to some fitness channels on YouTube. Since I have a smart TV I streamed the videos directly to my TV. Amazon also has streaming videos with plenty of free workout options.
Make it as Easy as Possible: My elliptical is in my bedroom, literally right next to my bed. It looks hideous there. For awhile, we had it in the garage. But I never used it. My garage is hot. I didn’t want to open it either since it was before sunrise and I hate bugs. There was nothing for me to watch. So I moved it into my bedroom. Now I roll right out of bed, pop on a sports bra and workout in my pajamas. I watch the morning news during the week and it makes me happy. I don’t care if it makes my room ugly, it is functional for ME.
Join a Gym: Sometimes the only way to commit to something is to pay for it. If you shell out cash to meet with a personal trainer or on a workout class package, there is a better chance you will go. No one likes to waste money, so if you need a serious kick in the butt to get motivated… let your wallet be your guide. You don’t have to pay a ton to get your workout mojo going, but it can help keep you accountable and find that time to take care of you.
During the week I use my home elliptical, but when it comes to a good workout on the weekend… I NEED my gym membership. I got rid of it for awhile since it used to be so expensive.. but then they built a YouFit gym near me. The basic package is only $10 a month! (insane, right?) My husband and I have been members there for about 2 years and LOVE it.
They have all the equipment I need and the trainers there are always super helpful. I love their “express circuit” which is a 30-minute total body workout you can do anytime. It is a small price to pay to have a place to get away to for a bit and focus on ourselves. My husband and I cherish our gym time!
For just 10 bucks more a month you can enjoy access to ALL of their classes, which include Yoga, Zumba and Spinning!
I have some AWESOME news for you… the fabulous people at YouFit gave me 3 6-month memberships to giveaway to my readers! Woohoo!!! They have locations all over Florida.
Trust me when I say that you DO have time to workout, just just have to look for it and commit to it. Exercising will make you feel SO GOOD that you will wonder why you ever slighted yourself by simply saying you were too busy. Now go get your fill of endorphins! 😉
YouTube has indeed been my friend! Such a lifesaver.
Yes! YouTube was amazing when I was on maternity leave!
I needed this post! I have even thought about YouTube but will check it now for fitness inspiration. Thanks for sharing!
I love it! You can search so many workouts on there!
Love this, thank you! I’ve never thought to check out YouTube for workout videos.
It is the best! You can find a huge selection on there for FREE!
I use youtube because I get home late and need to find a quick video to work out to!
Thats a great idea! I can never motivate myself to workout at night ,,, so kudos to you for that! 🙂
After my two kids, I worked out every morning…… (of course I had the motivation of going to the beach)….. now it is so hard to start again :(…… you are pushing me to start tomorrow! I needed this!
I can relate, since once I start it is REALLY tough for me to get going again. That’s when I started the 15 minute thing, which has worked well 🙂
I seriously never thought of using youtube as a workout source. I have thought of waking up earlier for my workouts, there is a place near me that does a 6am spin class that I could go to before the little man wakes up! Thanks for the tips.
I have to wake up early or else I wont workout.. but yes YouTube is a AWESOME free resource that I love. 🙂
I do LOVE youtube! There are so many free resources out there! Have you even tried toneituo.com workouts? I love their challenges and free workouts!
I get their workouts emailed to me, but I never do them! ha! (but I have them all saved..)
It really is a challenge to find the time! I found a gym last year that I love, and now my husband and I both go to early morning bootcamps, but I never thought of checking out videos on YouTube! That will be especially helpful when I travel. Thank you so much for that idea.
Of course! You will love it, since you can search for anything on there!
Yes! Before baby, I worked in my exercise without much trouble. Afterward, different story. I bought a used elliptical on a yard sale site and found some excellent YouTube channels with full-length videos. The gym is a thing of the past during this season of life. Excellent tips!
yes I still hit the gym on weekends since I consider it “Me time” now.. ha! 🙂
Great tips! YouTube has some seriously great workouts. I also like subscription services like Daily Burn and Busy Moms Fitness (an app that incorporates your baby in your workout).
I never heard of Busy Moms Fitness!! I need to check that out! 🙂
I set a goal to do some yoga with the kids this week and I will be heading to youtube to find ideas. Thanks!
My daughter also loves yoga! Ha! They do it at her daycare… maybe I should find a class to do along with her.
These tips are so helpful for me! I always feel I have no time to work out but I think it’s more of an excuse haha. xo, sharon
http://www.stylelullaby.com
I feel ya, once I stop it is hard to motivate myself to get started!
This post is great! Thank you so much for the helpful information!
xo Debbie | http://www.tothineownstylebetrue.com
I am glad you enjoyed it! have a great week!
Great tips – it requires some commitment but everyone has time to do something they really want to do
And the truth is, working out makes me feel so much better and give me more energy so it is worth making time for! 🙂
I have tried getting up earlier and working out at home. It only works when my toddler has slept through the night or didn’t wake up super early. I know some gyms have babysitting available but (only certain hours). I never checked out you fit, but i will now!
Yes, my kids are horrible sleepers so I can relate to that! Sometimes I am just too exhausted to make it happen!
Love these tips!! I am not a mom, but I still find excuses as to why I don’t “have time” for the gym. Thanks for the motivation!
Xo,
Alexandra Christine Blog
http://www.alexandrachristineblog.com
I am glad you enjoyed it! Have a great week!
Great tips. Love that you have the elliptical right by your bed!
Caitlin, Beauty & Colour
Yup, it is so ugly there but I don’t care! haha!
Great tips!!!! I’ve been trying to get time in as well, and it’s not as easy as it seems. 🙂 Love this help and motivation!
This is a great post! I do my workouts during lunch time, since I need need that one hour of sleep. I go to express classes to the nearby jym where my company has a corporate membership, or sometimes just jog by myself to a nice music in a neighborhood close to my work 🙂 I am trying the best i can, but I wish my workouts were more systematic, and could incorporate the weights, not just the cardio.
These are such great tips, I feel so motivated! We have been traveling so much lately and on top of it I’ve had back to back flus, so it has been so hard for me to get back into a workout routine. But now is the time, no more excuses 🙂
Gennifer Rose | http://www.GenniferRose.com
I do not have kids and it’s hard for me to find time to work out. These are all great tips! As you said even if it’s only 15 minutes, that is better than nothing. I have a goal to work out at least 3 x’s a week. I reached it last week! So let’s hope I keep going. I also love youtube work out videos! I do Dance Fitness by Jessica a lot.
Great idea to look up workouts on YouTube — can’t wait to get started.
I have to admit being a big slacker in this category. I am just So busy that I could never find time to workout. It’s definitely something I need to work on. I never thought about using Youtube.
You have inspired me to be more proactive about fitting regular exercise into my schedule. I am going to make sure to put more exercise into my schedule.
I used YouTube for a lot of my exercises too since I don’t get to leave the house often. My daughter enjoys doing the mommy and me workouts with me so I try to find fun ones with good music and easy enough moves for her.
I need to look for mommy and me workouts, since I know my daughter would love that!
Working out is SO hard! I have to schedule it or it doesn’t happen!
I know, I have to get it done in the morning or I don’t do it.
Walking the dog is the only work out routine I have right now, although I’ve tried to incorporate the stationary bike in there somewhere. Starting small is the best advice for me, because I can only fit in like ten minutes of it a day! But I guess that’s better than nothing.
Yes 10 minutes a day can make a huge difference and it will give you more energy too! 🙂
Love this! I’m just trying to get back into the swing of things after having my little guy and I’m trying to commit to 3 workouts per week as we speak!
it is tough to get started again, but once you get in the groove it is so nice!! Congrats on your baby boy!
I try to work out right after work before I get home and get all tired. I either take my dog on a long walk, go to my apartment gym or do some stretches and small exercises right in my living room. (I even turn the TV on while I do them and time just seems to go faster)
i actually work out at my gym upstairs at work so it makes it easy for me to get up and get a good work out in during lunch!
Great tips for getting in that workout! Finding time is always the hardest part!
I dont think finding time is hard, it is reevaluating what you are doing with your time that is the challenge for most people.
I’m a huge advocate of at-home workouts. Not just when you dont have the time but also when its snowing out, you dont have an excuse to not workout 🙂
As a South Florida girl, I couldn’t imagine heading out to the gym if it was snowing out! ha!
These are great tips! I am now self employed so I have more time to work out at the gym and it’s been amazing.
There is no way I can fit in a full blown workout right now, so your post is perfect. I like the idea of short, 15-minute workouts and using YouTube. Great ideas.
Yes it is short enough so you can fit it in, but long enough to notice a difference in your mood! 🙂
Great tips! For me, it’s making sure I hit the gym straight after work!
This is totally one of my biggest problems!! But, for Christmas, I got a bike trainer so I am looking forward to using it at night when the kids are in bed. Now just to work on consistency.
Haha these are great tips! I always found it so hard to work out at home & I always felt insecure at a public gym, but paying for a personal trainer or even a group workout would make me so much for comfortable (and motivated) to go! I think I’m going to try a spin class now 🙂
These are really helpful tips! I always found it so hard to work out at home & I always felt insecure at a public gym, but paying for a personal trainer or even a group workout would make me so much for comfortable (and motivated) to go! I think I’m going to try a spin class now 🙂