Becoming more active as a busy parent and family

There are many ways that you, no matter how busy you are, can build physical activity into your lifestyle. Being physically active is easier than you may think, especially if you make activity part of your daily routine and lifestyle. The following are some of the tips and advice that I provide to my clients who are busy parents and families to help make their lifestyles more active, healthy and fun:

  • As a busy parent, pick days and times that you want to exercise each week and commit to them. You are more likely to be successful if you do your exercise at the same time and on the same days each week. For instance, a 30 minute run on a Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm with a friend.
  • You can divide your activity up throughout the day rather than doing it in one go. You could do two 10 minute workouts per day 3 times per week. For instance, 10 minutes at 7am and 7pm on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
  • Aim to walk or cycle any journeys that are under 1 mile e.g. to the shop, to the hairdressers, to a friends.
  • Set up an exercise group with other parents and families. For instance, you can go running, walking, pushing your buggies, swimming.
  • When doing house work, turn it into a workout (though still doing a good job!!). For instance, when cleaning the house, gardening, washing the car or decorating work up a sweat. Get the family to help you and make it fun.
  • Exercise at home because you can easily fit it around your daily routine and you do not need much time or equipment. For instance, you can do an exercise DVD or run up and down the stairs. Get the family to join in.
  • Embrace modern technology and get active and have fun with your family by playing games and sport on a Wii computer.
  • Coach a local sport team. It will be worthwhile and good exercise when training. Encourage your family to join a sports team for the exercise, for instance playing rugby on a Sunday and training on a Tuesday night.
  • Instead of watching TV, get active with your family and friends by finding fun activities to do that burn off calories. For instance, playing hide and seek, walking to school, trampolining, exploring woods and riding bikes.
  • Set time aside each week to go on a family walk, bike ride or swim, for instance every Sunday morning. Walking, cycling and swimming are fun and easy ways for the whole family to get active. Doing a treasure hunt walk or even just messing about in a swimming pool is great fun and exercise.
  • As a family, incorporate small changes into your lifestyle to make you more active. For instance, always walk up and down the stairs rather than taking the lift, park at the furthest away parking space at the supermarket for the extra walk and walk to and from the local shop.

Aim to do activities that you like and that fit easily into your daily routine. Get active with friends and family to maintain enjoyment, motivation and consistency. Crucially, think outside of the box. There are numerous ways that do not cost money and do not take too much time, to get active and fit, for instance, playing with the family in the park, doing heavy gardening and walking to work.

There are many more ways that you can become more active that I would be delighted to share and discuss with you. Should you require any help, advice or information please do not hesitate to contact me

Keep up the great work,

Matt

 

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"I have seen some great results training with Matt and Matt really does value teamwork and his energy is infectious - keep up the good work Matt!"