8 Tips {for Moms} to get a Work Out in at Home

As many of us are hoping to kick off the new year with new fitness goals, the cold weather and snowy/icy roads can be discouraging. Don't let Mother Nature stop your momentum - there are plenty of ways to get in a great workout at home even with kids under foot. I always say that being a happy and healthy mom allows me to be a better mom.  Here's 10 tips that have worked for me:

We might not have the home gym we dreamt about, but that doesn't mean we can't make an intentional space for our workouts. Weather you have free weights and videos in your guest room or a treadmill in your basement, identify a space in your home as your workout spot. Having a comfortable and convenient spot makes us all more likely to want to work out at home. 

I'm not saying run out and spend $2,000 on a Peloton (although they look amazing) but investing in home equipment can be so worth it. We have a hand-me-down treadmill from my parents and a spin bike that we purchased refurbished locally and both help me stay sane and in shape. If you're in the market, look for deals on local Facebook groups or swaps. I also find having a few sets of free weights (I like to have a light pair, a medium pair and a heavy pair) and a couple exercise bands are key and  affordable. 

I use my treadmill time to catch up on the latest TV episodes and binge watch new shows on Netflix. Shows and podcasts can make the miles fly by and also give you incentive to get started. 

In the last few years (especially when I became a mom of 3) I became a big fan of workouts on my TV.  My go-to is Beachbody; I'm a big fan of the 21 Day Fix Extreme and am eagerly awaiting the 80 Day Obsession. In addition to Beachbody you can get a ton of great workouts on DVDs and for very little money.  There are also some insanely good workout options that you can pay to download or stream including favorites like Beachbody, Bikini Body Guide with Kayla Itsines, Daily Burn, if you have a bike the Pelaton app, FitFusion by Jillian Michaels and list list goes on. If you take the time to search, you can also find some free options out there like the BeFit You Tube Channel. 

I know as moms we don't have a ton of time for extras, but even if you spend a few minutes on Instagram take note. I have favorite fitness experts and I find following them on social media channels can be inspiring and informative. You can often get great tips and workout ideas or plans. Some of the ladies I follow are Kayla Itsines, Jeanette Jenkins and Kira Stokes. 

Setting personal goals (they could be as simple as working out 30+ minutes 5 times a week or more involved like logging a certain number of running miles or completing races) can also help give you direction and motivation. ​Accountability can also be key. Whether you keep a hand written journal or track your workouts in an app like Strava, take the time to document the details of your workout and track your progress. There are also some great watches out there that can help track your workouts, stats and even provide you with friendly competition if that's your thing. 

Early mornings aren't for everyone, but if you haven't given them a try, I highly recommend it.  There's something so nice about getting your workout done early with no distractions. My kids are early risers and sometimes come downstairs to find me mid workout, but I love knowing that it's done and feeling refreshed and recharged before the craziness and rush of the morning routine and bus stop dash. 

When you're a mom, self care is critical, but doesn't always make the top of the priority list. I find that making my workouts kid-friendly helps make it easier on everyone to make it happen; depending on their ages, this could look a number of different ways.  When my littlest was a baby I would have his favorite swing right next to my treadmill and have him positioned looking at me. I also have a TV in front of my treadmill and bike if the kids come down in the morning they can watch a show or jump on the trampoline next to me. My oldest also sometimes likes to jump in and do parts of the beachbody workouts with me. 

​Do you workout at home? Any other tips? I'd love to hear about your health and fitness goals for 2018!