How to Get the Most Out of Your Workout

 

If you’re a busy mom with a lot going on and found yourself wondering “how to get the most out of your workout” with kids chasing you around all day – I’ve got you covered. 

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How to Get the Most Out of Your Workout

Mom truth: getting a workout in is tough shit. In fact, it’s almost unbearable to scroll through Facebook sometimes and see super fit moms posing in bikinis, holding signs that say things like “no excuses” – you all know who I’m talking about. It’s heart wrenching. We give up our bodies basically to bare children and while it’s the most amazing thing in the world, it’s also hard to get back to where we were before. I’ve opened up about how difficult it was for me to run for the first time postpartum, and making fitness a priority every week is just as difficult.

Despite the way my Instagram feed might flow, I am a very average mom. As of right now, I don’t have a babysitter to help me out during the day, we don’t have family close by and I work a lot. If my day was super packed, my fitness routine was always the thing that got put on the back burner and I needed to find a way to make the most of my time and I want to share how to get the most out of your workout so that you all can add more into your weekly routine, too. But first, a little self-love reminder for you all:

Before I share my tips, I wanted to lay out that I first had to quit trying to run out the door to get to classes. While I LOVE working out in a group setting, the NYC commute plus trying to work around my husband’s schedule just wasn’t feasible for me. Because of this, I 100% workout from home, it’s just the only way for me, so if this is something that you can relate to, then these tips will help you hustle a little harder to get that workout in with a baby at home.

Tips for getting the most out of your workout

Because you for real, for real, can get in a workout at least 3 times a week from home – even with a crazy toddler jumping on your back!

1. Start your day right.

Mornings are when all the “fun” happens in my house. We’re rushing to get Branden to the bus stop and then I rush to get started on work because I know that my momentum will trickle down slowly throughout the day after chasing Blake around. So I have no choice but to start my day right so that I’m always on the path to get my workout in. How do I do this? Three ways! First, I make sure I follow my guide for a guaranteed productive day, have my coffee and then guzzle down my super simple detox drink recipe. These thing help me to start feeling healthy on the inside and keep me energized to push through any challenges my workout might bring my way. Starting your day right might look different for you, but just make sure you have a healthy routine established.

2. Buy a jogging stroller.

Even if you aren’t a runner, a jogging stroller for slow jogging or even walking is a great way to get the most out of your workout while your child naps or just explores the world. I love our BOB Revolution Flex Lunar Jogging Stroller and am completely obsessed. It handles amazingly and positions my body properly for running, so that I work all my muscles instead of just getting a cardio workout. I take a hiatus from running during the super chilly months, but as soon as spring rolls around, I’ll be hitting the pavement again and it really helps me spend some quality time with Blake during the day and get a workout in, too. You can read my full review of the BOB Revolution Flex Lunar Stroller HERE.  

3. Get your kids involved.

Some days, this is the absolute only way. I learned a long time ago that I need to reserve nap time exclusively for things that require a ton of concentration, so I make sure to get my workout done when Blake is awake and active. Some days I will incorporate her into my squats, some days she jumps underneath me when I go into downward dog. And some days, she accidentally gets tapped in the head because she’s in my way. I always end up pausing to incorporate her somehow and I think this is great because she learns how important it is to stay active from a really young age. And I’m completely obsessed with these Yogi Junior Yoga mats for littles, so Blake never feels left out.

4. Workout when they eat breakfast.

Some mornings whenever I want to get a really good, uninterrupted (ahem, no little partners) workout in, I will do it a little bit earlier than normal – when she’s strapped into her high chair and eating breakfast. This is a life saver because she’s fully occupied and paying no mind to what I’m doing. When I’m done, I often throw a scoop of Welleco Super Elixir into my water to help restore and refresh myself, then I’m ready to tackle the rest of my day.

5. Go hard for short periods of time.

This summer, I fell in love with HIIT (high intensity interval training) workouts and became obsessed with Youtube videos by Blogilates.  Since most days I only have 15-20 minutes to spare for a workout, I do these 3 days a week and go hard at it for that short period of time, giving it my all so that I’m sweating my ass off and know that I’ve fatigued my muscles by the time I’m done. Then I try to run one additional day a week. When Blake is into everything, all the time, I know I have to go hard for a short period of time and give it my all…until she’s busy tearing something else apart. (I use this Jade Yoga Mat so that I’m not too loud stomping on the floor for my apartment neighbors.)

I’ve got lots of other articles that will share how to get the most out of your workout:

• My Jogging Journey With The BOB Revolution Flex Lunar Stroller
• Fit It In – How To Stay Motivated to Workout
• Get Your Fitness On – Maternity Style
• How to Style Your Hair For Running
• How I Finally Got The Courage To Run Again Postpartum
• How to Find Workout Clothes That Actually Fit
• Simple Morning Detox Drink Recipe
• Tips For Eating Healthy on a Tight Budget

Friends, I really hope this has helped you gain some insight as to how to get the most out of your workout. I know from personal experience that it isn’t easy and some days are harder than other, but don’t give up. I try to share some inspiration each week on my Instagram stories, so please follow me over there if you could use some of that in your life. And believe me, there are some days where I need it, too. You will feel so much better once you get up and get moving everyday and I promise you can stick with it when you’ve got some support on your side.

Fashionably Yours,

Allison