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Article Weight Loss for Busy Mums

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Do you find it hard to find time to keep up an exercise or weight loss program?

You’re not alone – in fact, I’ve been in the fitness industry for years and hands down the most common reason I hear for why people aren’t exercising is that we are all “too busy”.

Busyness is one of the reasons so many women go looking for ‘quick fixes’ to their health, through diet pills, shakes and other diet crazes.

But those quick fixes are never long term solutions, and I want to challenge you that there’s a better solution.

My three ‘babies’ are all grown up now, but ever since they were little and I was a working mum, I had to find time to exercise.

I remember getting up at 5am to go jogging with a friend (thankfully she came and knocked on my door each day – otherwise I might have stayed in bed), and it was so cold that my dog’s eyelashes kept getting covered in ice!

These days’ women often say to me how “lucky” I am that I’m still so fit and healthy – and I tell them it has nothing to do with luck. It’s all about making the choice to be healthy every day, even when you don’t feel like it.

Now I know that you’re busy, so let’s look at how you can do it.

I was (and still am) a busy mum too – what with work, the kids, the parents and in-laws, the house and yard, the weekend sports, the pets, the social life, and the list just goes on. But here’s what I’ve found to be true:

Being busy and having time to exercise are not mutually exclusive.

In other words, just because you’re busy, doesn’t mean there’s no time for exercise. Here’s how.

Did you know there are 48 half hours in every single day? All you need to do is pick one of those and dedicate it to exercise. That’s only two percent of your whole day, and it really is achievable for everyone. In a week you have 336 half hours, and if you exercise just three times a week, for just half an hour, you will still have 333 half hours left to be busy.

The problem is not a lack of time; it’s simply our priorities.

Many of us would spend hours a week on Pinterest or Facebook, or watching the latest cooking, singing or renovation shows on TV.

Rather than seeing exercise as something to fit in around your life, it needs to be an essential component to your life. People that exercise consistently aren’t less busy than anyone else, they’ve just decided that exercise isn’t negotiable for them.

We all fit into our days the things that are most important to us. If weight loss – and your long term health – are really important to you, then you need to choose to make them a priority.

So, ready to give it a go?

Start by breaking down your day into half hours and think about realistically where you could fit in a quick workout. If you really do struggle to find half an hour, then look for fifteen minute slots, and you’ll just have to do more of them.

It really is better to do something consistently over the long term, even if it’s only little.

And ladies, it is so worth it! My kids are grown up now and I’m so glad that I made my health a priority all the way back when they were babies. But more on that later!

Tell me in the comments below, where in your schedule will you make time for exercise? I can’t wait to read your comments!

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Comments

  • I have no idea. Time isn’t my problem, commitment and time management are what I need to learn. Lots of time I just don’t use it well

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  • I set a time aside for about 6 months but the most disappointing thing is there was no weight loss which then makes it harder to motivate myself to exercise.

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  • usually in the evenings after kids in bed. I like cycling
    so tired though thanks to bub

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  • Im a mum of two kids age 6 n 8. I hve set my kids a bad example especially to my son whos so lazy. My daughter will find herself something and is on the go. I’m a bum a real bum. Ive gained 25kg extra from the day i walked out of the hospital with my daughter with another 20kg piled on during pregnancy. What excuses i have now is im too tired, this is too hard, what if i hve a heart attack or stroke when exercising is whats on my mind. I would love to loose 45kg but its not an overnight achievement. Im an emotional eater, stress easily. Been in a robbery at work which has effected me mentally. So im setting a bad example to my kids. Motivation n the will to do it needs to be with me. Im only 31 and giving myself a shorter life to live. I will get there soon and i promise I’ll be running before you ask me next time how I’m gng.

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  • i like your no nonsense approach to the excuses people have, there is no need to hold someone’s hand just tell them the truth. i go to the gym for an hour three times a week plus at night i do a thirty day squat challenge after the kids are in bed every month

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  • Nice Great point about prioritising and doing a little is ok

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  • Thanks for sharing this article.

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  • Great point about prioritising and doing a little is ok

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  • When ever I have 15 min breaks I do interval training

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  • Great post, makes it seem so much easier to find the time when you break it down into smaller chunks.
    With the nice weather finally here, it hardly seems right to be sitting here giving some of the precious time I have glued to the computer! Not to mention the excuse I will give to friends and family later, tomorrow, next week etc. for not exercising – I don’t have the time and I must prioritise my commitments (I have a list of excuses!!)
    I have to be a model for my daughter and commit to looking after myself and being the best fit and healthy person I can be. Right now I am going to get up, put on my work out gear an go for a walk in this glorious weather -Hope to see you out there!

    • Good on you for being honest about your excuses – and for making yourself accountable to friends/family! It’s definitely a lot easier with this beautiful Spring weather, I’ve been out enjoying it too (I went for a walk just this morning with my daughter)! Good on you for taking action, and for thinking about your health and your role as a mum.

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  • Love this article :)
    I was good at keeping my fitness up prior to falling pregnant.. Pregnancy hasn’t been nice to me & my body – & I’m very much looking forward to getting back into it.. I know the first few months I might struggle, but my focus is to start with half an hour a day & see how I go :)

    • Thanks MrsJHarding :) I appreciate your feedback. Pregnancy is definitely tough on the body, so don’t feel you have to get straight back into huge weightloss and fitness goals – in fact, starting small and being consistent is a good way to build you body back to health safely. An easy walk, stretching or even using gentle resistance bands are good ways to do this. Congrats on taking the initiative to do something – let me know how you go!

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  • I thought I was too busy to do any exercise, or maybe just too tired but lately I ride a pushbike to my kids school before I catch the bus the rest of the way to work and then in the afternoon I ride with them back home. it’s good exercise for me and the boys. I also started up dancing every Saturday for an hour and it doesn’t seem to be helping me loose weight.
    I have been watching what I eat and drinking water instead of sugary drinks too and that doesn’t seem to help either I still have a fat gut and fat thighs and butt.

    • Jillian thanks for your comment – and good on you for making an effort with your health, and especially including your boys in it too, you’re being a great role model for your kids. Don’t be too discouraged if you don’t see immediate results – the key is to be consistent over the long term, that’s when you get the best results and when you’ll start to feel the difference too.

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  • I wish I had made that commitment all those years ago.
    I have recently lost 22 kgs and feel a lot better but my kids are older and don’t do as much with us anymore. I feel I lost valuable time with them where I could have been fitter.

    • Hi CrystalAngela, thanks for your comment, and a huge WELL DONE for losing 22kg!! Wow! It’s definitely true that being fit when your kids are little can make a huge difference, but never doubt that even when your kids are grown up they still see you as a role model. My ‘kids’ are all adults now and I love getting to go for walks with them when I see them. Plus, your own life and health is worth it :) Congrats on committing to your health and seeing it through.

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  • totally agree I love excercsie and am time poor always thinking of things to fit in

    • Thanks for your feedback :) It’s hard to find time sometimes, but definitely always worth it!

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  • I have to agree with you. I was on a great weightloss journey, making time for exercise and going well. When exercising dropped off my priority list I gained back all the weight I had lost…and the fitness. Time to make it a priority again!

    • Your health should always be a priority. Good on you for making time for fitting exercise into your day.

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  • I would love to be able to help people lose weight! It isn’t as easy as it looks

    • It is very rewarding to help people get fit and healthy. It’s not easy, but just being consistent is the key.

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  • Thanks for the lovely reminder on how achievable staying fit and healthy can be! I think my 1/2 an hour will be first thing in the morning before I can think of excuses not to exercise!!

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  • This sounds like just the thing for me. Thank you for the article

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  • I find it quite easy to keep up with my daily walks, especially payday, I do lots of walking on that today (today).

    • Walking is a terrific exercise anyone can do. Keep up the good work.

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  • Its always nice to have a partner friend who can come with you and inspire each-other through this weight-loss journey.

    • Working out with a friend is great for motivation and helps pass the time a whole lot quicker.

    Reply
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