How to Make Your Exercise Plans Work

by Amy Clark, October13, 2009 | Posted in Time Savers

As a busy mom, making exercise a priority has been a true challenge for me. I am constantly running children to activities and school which leaves little free time for me. I realize though that it is important for me to take care of myself so I can be the best mom I can be to my children. It requires a daily commitment, but it is one that I am hoping will pay off in the long run.

Here are 5 quick tips to help make your exercise plans work in your own life:

Make it quick and convenient. Try aiming for just thirty minute sessions and do what fits best with your schedule. If going to the gym doesn't work for you right now, stick to a workout DVD. If you can't manage either, try a brisk walk around your neighborhood. Whatever you do, make it something that is easily doable and can be done in a short period of time.
Make an appointment with yourself. Find the times that work best for you and do it every single day. If something gets in your time slot, push it back, but do not push it off.
Schedule your workouts when it is best for you, not when you think you should workout. I can admit it; I am not a morning person. I have tried being a morning person and I just can't do it. I will no longer apologize for not being a morning person and will understand that maybe I will come to a stage in my life where morning workouts work better for me. For now, I am content on being groggy in the morning and doing afternoon workouts instead.
Get pumped up. Find what motivates you to get moving and incorporate that. Music is a powerful motivator for me and I use Last.fm (http://www.last.fm/) to create workout playlists that I can turn on while I do my workouts. I also love to get music from the local library and play that or load fresh music into my iPod for working out. Others are pumped by community sites that help them track and login their workout times. SparkPeople (http://www.sparkpeople.com/) is one resource where you can track your caloric content and exercise schedule while chatting with others through forums. Others are motivated by having a workout buddy or making a daily date with a girlfriend at the gym. Whatever it is, find what motivates you and get your body moving.
Get some workout gear. I don’t know why, but I have a hard time spending money on workout gear. The year 1997 called though and they wanted their workout clothes back so I knew it was time to make an investment. Buy a few good workout pieces for yourself and try washing your tennis shoes to freshen them up. Just slip off the laces and throw the shoes in the washer. Wash them on a warm setting with a little laundry detergent. After they are done, stuff the interior of the shoes with newspaper or paper towels (to help hold its shape and also to absorb any lingering odors) and let them dry outside in the sunshine. Fresh workout gear can make all the difference in how you feel about yourself and can help you commit more to making exercise a priority.