Finding Ways to Move

I have been personal training now for over 10 years. I have trained all kinds of clients and along the way I have had many stay at home moms. When I first began as a trainer, I was very ripe and only 19. There had never been a time in my life that I didn't make time to exercise so, when I would hear the excuse from parents that "I just don't have time to exercise." I didn't get it. I thought to myself, "how could someone that doesn't work not have time to exercise?" You can see where my mind was at that time. Well, now that I am a stay at home mom, I realize just how much energy is required to be a parent regardless if you work outside of the home or are a stay at home mom. And I completely understand the feeling that there is no time to exercise since everyday seems to fly by so fast. I think that I get it, but I still don't agree that there is no time to exercise. I know that my workout routines have certainly changed. Gone are the days of daily runs on the beach followed by a 90 minute yoga class. Instead, every morning after working on my website and then training some in-person clients, I load up the BOB Sports Utility Stroller with rice cakes, apples, and books to keep Frankie occupied so, that I can get a whine free run or roller-blade. The entire length of the workout, I remind him that we are going to the park next and this way I can avoid any melt-downs. On the occasions that I try to do a home yoga practice it usually ends up turning into a wrestling match. My husband, Sammy practices JiuJitsu and then teaches Frankie all of the moves like the guard and arm-bar. Anytime that I lie down on the floor to stretch, Frankie, in return, likes to practice them on me. The workouts aren't quite like they used to be pre-mommy world. What I get in return is this adorable little boy kicking his legs, pointing out airplanes and practicing all of his new vocabulary.
So, next time that you catch yourself saying that there is no time to exercise, re-evaluate that statement. Because if you are not exercising then you are decreasing your life expectancy and therefore in the long run, decreasing your time!