Getting a single mom to diet and exercise can be tricky. If you’re working, it’s amazing that you are still able to find some time to go to the gym to work out. For single moms who work at home, as much as you have control over your time, there still seem to have tons of work, and if you’re lucky, you get to use your chores as a part of an exercise routine you can do at home.
I believe that with anyone, if you choose to, you can manage your time to be able to include even a 30-min workout routine every day. While all the chores at home could pass for your daily routine exercise, especially if you intentionally created it to be one, lifting weights and cardio should be incorporated in your routine to make your exercise effective and efficient for your schedule.
I do not have to tell you all the benefits you get when you work out, but we should not have any excuse for not doing it because working out is not just for losing or controlling your weight, but it’s a sign of love when you take care of yourself. When you are healthy in mind and body, you can give yourself more to others. It is not easy, yes, but you can do it.
Let me give you a couple of tips on how you could, as a single mum, exercise daily and have a blast.
1. Prioritize Yourself.
First single mom workout tip: put yourself first. And this includes you making time for working out. Prioritizing yourself means loving yourself too. If you take care of yourself, you’ll be able to take care of others also.
2. Schedule It.
There’s no way around it. You have to schedule it. Time management should come into play with one. If you do not schedule it, there’s a big chance that you’ll forget about it.
3. Do Something You Enjoy.
Jog every morning while your kids are still asleep, or after work before going home, do yoga or kickboxing. Whatever floats your boat, do it. It makes it easier to work out when you enjoy what you’re doing.
4. Be Flexible.
As a single mother, there are those times when emergencies come up, and even when you made plans to work out, if circumstances just don’t allow it, adjust. Although I believe most single moms are good at this one. Winging things comes naturally!
5. Use What You Have.
Single mothers have to save money and a lot of it – so practicality is key. So, aside from picking your work out of choice, sometimes, it is still best to use what you have. If you have an old yoga mat, you can use it instead of buying a new one. If you have an old stationary bike or treadmill, use it. There’s nothing wrong with reusing things. Working out at home is as good as working out in a gym – it’s even better because it’s free.
If you can include your kids and the sitter in working out, I think that would make things more fun and special. I remember my neighbor who brings her son in walking the dog. Yes, it is hitting two birds with one stone. She gets to walk the dog and spend quality time with her kid. Single mom’s fitness routine varies from one mom to the other, and working out has one goal – being healthy.
However you want to achieve it, go for it! There are tons of benefits to exercising, and while you’re at it, you get to have new friends while you’re getting active and fit.
