As a parent, your day is packed with activities from start to finish. Whether it be making lunches, driving to and from soccer practice, or helping with homework assignments, everyday you put a lot of energy into taking care of your children. So much so that some days you are left feeling like you have none left to spare to take care of your own health and wellness. You want to get back into shape, but with only so many hours in a day it can be hard to imagine how you could possibly set aside the time and energy to do so. Finding the time to fit exercise into your daily schedule may seem impossible, but it doesn’t have to be.

1. Commit To A Goal

It is easy to keep putting off exercising if you have no real incentive. Set a specific goal for yourself such as registering for a 5k race or losing 10 pounds by the next big family function and commit to it. Setting a specific goal rather than having a general one such as “exercise more” will make you hold yourself accountable for reaching your target on time.

2. There Is Always A Way To Find The Time

For parents who feel like they are already being stretched thin and have no time to spare for exercise, take some time to review your daily schedule. Go hour by hour to figure out exactly how you allot your time everyday and when you could add in a quick workout. Try out scheduling them while your kids are occupied with school or their extracurriculars.

3. Make A Schedule

Once you’ve found a time that works for you, make it official by adding it on your phone planner or penciling it in on your calendar. Planning your workout schedule ahead of time will prevent you from making up excuses and makes your health as much as a priority as any other errand you have.

4. Try A Fitness App

Download a fitness app to stay motivated and keep yourself challenged. Various apps can help you keep track of your goals, give you updates on your achievements, and offer helpful form tips for performing exercises. You can even connect with your friends for encouragement and to support each other’s wins.

5. Choose Time Efficient Workouts

As a parent who is already pressed for time, there is no way you can afford spending hours at the gym. The key to any good workout is to give maximum effort in a short amount of time, otherwise known as high intensity interval training, or HIIT. A HIIT workout can be done in as little as 20 minutes and leave your body burning calories up to 24 hours post workout.

6. Workout Around Your Kids

Finding time to exercise can be overwhelming if you’re also worried about the location. Simplify your planning by having your kids with you for your workout. Many gyms have childcare services or you can skip the gym and workout at home. Let your kids watch their favourite movie as you run on the treadmill or do a HIIT circuit.

7. Join In On Their Play Time

Taking your kids to the park can also be a way for you to be more active. Join in on playground games for cardio, mess around on the monkey bars for upper body work, or create your own fully body circuit perfect for the outdoors.

8. Get Your Family’s Support

Letting your family know about your fitness goals can make it much easier to fit it into your lifestyle. Ask them to help pick up an extra chore or two so you can have time to exercise. Having your family commend your new efforts will help keep your on track.

9. Find A Workout Buddy

You don’t have to embark on your fitness journey alone. Try teaming up with a friend in a similar situation. This way, you’ll both keep each other motivated to get fit but you can also help each other through any doubts or difficulties.

10. Track Your Progress

One way to know you’re actually making progress is to see it! No need to weigh or measure yourself everyday, but even doing this once every 3 months will really shock you at how far you’ve come. Progress is the best motivation and will help keep you going on days you may want to quit. There’s always a way to find time to exercise, even with a busy family.