Fitness as a Parent: How to Nurture a Balanced Life

Personal growth and fitness take a backseat for many once they become parents. The lives of parents may revolve entirely around their children. Many parents keep procrastinating working out. If this sounds like you, you’re in great company. It’s completely understandable. However, health won’t wait until children grow up and become independent. Plus, one of the ways to be a better parent is to work on your fitness and health. Read on to find out more about the why and how of participating in fitness as a parent.

This is a guest post by Sean Lynam.

Perks of a Fitness-driven Lifestyle

When you prioritize your fitness, not only you but also your children will be able to reap the benefits. A fitness-driven lifestyle offers perks like these:

• Improved Physical Health: Working out will increase your muscular strength, improve your stamina, and keep aches at bay. It will also boost your mood and elevate your energy levels. As a result, you will be able to enjoy your time with your children more.
• Fitness Role Model: A parent who cares about fitness inspires the children to do the same. You can be a fitness role model for your children.
• Better Mental Health: Working out helps get rid of stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety can cause parents to be mentally absent even while they are around their kids. Exercising helps lower anxiety, reduce stress, and increase mindfulness as a parent.
• Enhanced Mood: Pursuing fitness goals will enhance your motivation. Working out will help improve your composure. Parents who work out are emotionally and mentally more stable. Exercising lowers the chances of parents lashing out at the children. Motivated and calm parents will be able to create a nurturing and healthy home environment.

Fitness as a Parent: It’s Possible

With young children, typically it may be difficult to take out a desirable amount of time in which you just focus on fitness. You don’t necessarily need to allocate time just to fitness activities. You will be surprised to learn about the multitude of ways to combine fitness and parenting, so you can participate in fitness as a parent, even as a busy parent. Neither do you have to spend time away from your little ones nor do you have to let go of your fitness goals. You can do both – be a present parent and pursue your fitness goals. Here’s a compilation of some great ways to combine parenting and fitness.

Combining Fitness and Parenting

• Join a fitness program that is designed for parents and children. Attending such sessions will not only improve wellness, but it will also help develop strong bonds with your children. Alternatively, you can even work out with your children at home, such as doing a resistance band workout.
• When your child is taking a nap or busy with some toys or games, you will get at least ten minutes. If you think you can’t achieve anything in this little amount of time, you are mistaken. Although ten minutes does seem insignificant because they make up less than one percent of your day, ten minutes every day can make all the difference in the world. With EMOM workouts, you can get maximum fitness benefits within these ten minutes. Although it is an acronym for ‘every minute, on the minute’, it is pronounced ‘i-mom’. Doesn’t it seem like a sign to pick it up as a workout? 😉
• If your kids are old enough to ride bikes, you could either run alongside them as they paddle on their bikes or you could take a bike ride with them. A bike ride together will be better when your children are old enough to keep pace with you (or even beat you in a bike race).
• Take walks with your children. Beautiful natural scenery and fresh air will work wonders for your health and theirs.

Related: How to Set Fitness Goals as a Busy Parent

Balance Your Personal and Family Life

Nurturing your health and improving your fitness will help you avoid parental burnout. You will be able to face parenting challenges with renewed zeal. When you combine parenting and fitness, their synergistic effect will produce better results. You and your little ones will make special memories while working out together. Balancing your personal growth and family life will bring out the best in you – as a parent and as an individual.

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What other tips do you have for participating in fitness as a parent? What makes it challenging? Share in the comments.

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