Plan To Be Energized

by Rebecca Keliher

 

 Being a mommy can be exhausting and sometimes overwhelming. From my experience, if I don't take the time to make sure I have energized my batteries, my family often gets the short end of the stick. 

 

Planning my days includes a schedule for school, errands, and dinner. But not until the last few years did I realize the importance of making sure my exercise plan was on the agenda. Here are ten ideas to help you discover a way to work exercise into your routine!

  

1.   Make Room

      In our home, we moved the coffee table and sofa in order to do floor exercises. It afforded a bit of weight lifting, and rarely did dust accumulate!

 

     2.   Together
Exercising is a great opportunity to spend time together as a family. When our children were younger, we would ride bikes, workout to my exercise DVD, and swim together.

 

     3.   Fresh Air

     There’s nothing like taking a break from the school books for some fresh air! Take a walk, explore the outdoors, and dive into great conversations with your kiddos.

 

     4.   Little Ones
Babies and toddlers bring a joy to your exercise routine. Try a variety of curls, lifts, and even slow dancing to help with your energy levels and even that mommy tummy!

 

     5.   Create a Challenge
Keeping up with our teens can prove a challenge, and that’s exactly why I do it! I work out twice a week with two of our teenage kids. The challenge is to keep up with them. I love hearing my fifteen year old son say, “You can do it mom!” and, “You got this!”

 

     6.   Indoor Ideas
Try some of these indoor activities, whether at your home or at a facility:
– ice skating
– boxing
– rock climbing
– indoor swimming
– dance class
– trampoline gym
– plyometrics
– walking track
– cycling class
– roller skating
– bowling
– boot camp
– karate
– Pilates

 

     7.   Double Duty
Did you know that for a 150 pound woman, vacuuming for an hour can burn 238 calories? Scrubbing floors by hand rigorously can burn as much as 280 calories. So, next time you’re out to clean house, do it with all your might and check both cleaning and exercise off your to-do list!

 

     8.   Outside the Box
This year I took up boxing! Thinking outside the box of traditional cardio workout, boxing doesn’t feel like work, but more like sport!

 

     9.   Date Night
With five kids under seven years old, it was rare that I had time for exercise. Sleep was much more vital. However, using date night for dancing or going for long walks was a great way to rejuvenate.

  

     10. Just Do It!
As a mom, I need to have the energy and focus to care for my family along with teaching our children. That’s why taking care of myself is high on my priority list.

  

With five kids in their teen and early adult years, Rebecca shares the many ups and downs of parenting, homeschooling, and keeping it all together. As the Well Planned Gal she mentors women towards the goal of discovering the uniqueness Christ has created in them and their family and how to best organize and plan for the journey they will travel.

 

Used by Permission: Originally published at https://wellplannedgal.com/energized-mom/.