Exercise for the Busy Mom

     My house is probably a lot like yours. Full of commotion, active and engaging children, a hard working husband and most of the day-to-day details left up to you as the mom. I enjoy the hectic schedule and crazy pace, but I often feel like I'm never alone or left to do as I please. This includes exercising. For a long time I just put it off, believing I'd get back to a fitness routine when the kids moved out or I got a live-in nanny. Neither of these is likely to happen soon, and try as I might, I cannot commit to an exercise routine unless I know it won't interfere with my family time. So I've adjusted my priorities (because I believe I'm worth it and it keeps me sane): By exercising at home and using exercise videos before or after my family go to bed, I can be busy mom during the day and a workout diva by night or early morning.

I now set my alarm an hour before anyone else wakes up. When my alarm goes off, I admit it, I still hit snooze at least once, but then shake myself awake enough to wash my face and brush my teeth. After getting into my comfy shorts and slouchy tee-shirt, I tie my hair up and quietly creep to my living room, which has enough floor space to accompany my full body stretches, lunges and crunches. And depending on how many times I hit the snooze alarm, I try to give myself between 20 to 30 minutes every day to exercise. Sometimes its Yoga, other days it's kickboxing. And sometimes its simply five minutes of stretching and deep breathing.

If my mornings are going to be super hectic I can work out at night after I get the kids to bed. And I must say, for me, it's harder in the evening. Not only because I'm usually exhausted, but because I just want to relax with my husband in our "quiet" home. But I've been trying something new, now my husband will workout with me in the evenings. That's right, we are in our living room together doing bicep curls, lunges and pilates together. We also joined an online fitness website that allows us to download exercise videos and track our workouts and food online. And guess what, when you workout at home, it is okay that my clothes or socks don't match!

I have always believed one thing: We spend time on that which we find important. No one will doubt that helping your third grader with her math homework is so valuable, and it is all the more valuable when it's your high schooler who wants you to help him with his History homework (because we all know that high schooler's rarely "need" us), but how important are you? And think of how much more you can give when you are stronger and healthier.

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