By: Ashley Chrisinger   Date: 12/9/11

On July 13th, 2011, I became a mother. That date also marks the day that I moved into the population of people who don’t have time to “work out.” I’ve never had to think about exercise from this mindset. In the past I enjoyed long runs, long bike rides, and racquetball tournaments at the gym with my husband. With baby in the picture, however, the money I would have otherwise spent on a gym membership goes instead towards the exorbitant cost of daycare. On top of that, my child’s daycare isn’t open long enough for me to fit in baby-free exercise before or after work.

I NEED my exercise – for weight control, for the emotional lift and for the energy boost. My schedule leaves only the weekend for formal exercise, which I certainly take advantage of usually by way of running with the baby jogger, but for the rest of the week I’ve learned to resort to “informal” exercise.

Find your “informal” exercise opportunities
Give in to “at home exercise.” Accept that your living room may be your only available place to break a sweat during the week. Find short workout videos online. Get yourself a set of hand-weights or resistant bands. Rip out the fitness routines found in various health magazines and try them out anywhere you can find space! There is no need for an official exercise area.

How do you find the time? My solution is to set my alarm just a bit early every morning. When it goes off, if I feel up for it and my baby is still sleeping, I do a bit of exercise in the living room before hopping into the shower. If I don’t feel up for it – I guiltlessly hit the snooze button. I give myself the same option at night. After putting my baby to bed, I consider my to-do list and occasionally fit in a small workout before settling into bed. Note:  don’t beat yourself up over missed workouts. There’s no need to follow a “workout schedule” – just focus on taking advantage of the next opportunity.

Incorporate “informal activity” into your day by engaging in more “active play” with your children:
• Run after your toddler
• Lift your baby up high
• Walk or bike to and from daycare or school with your kids as often as possible
• Enter your family into a “fun run” for charity and train together
• Go for a hike through a national park

Make the most of your “formal” exercise
Studies show that short, intense bursts of exercise can be just as beneficial as long bouts of moderate exercise. I still enjoy my long, mind-clearing runs, but when I can’t find the time, I know I can get similar benefits from some short, intense sprints.