Let’s be honest: being a parent means trying to find time for yourself amongst taking care of, loving on, and supporting your child(ren) and their needs. And more often than not, our own needs get put to the side because we’re just so busy! While being pulled from one thing to another can be rewarding. . . it can also be overwhelming. That’s why sometimes our parent workouts and exercise routines fall on the backburner.
But, even if you have a lot going on, that doesn’t mean you need to give up on your fitness goals. Here are ways to sneak workout time into your crazy scheduled, and here are a few tips to get the most out of your workouts (even if they’re short!).
Try HIIT Training
HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, is a type of exercise that alternates between short bursts of intense activity and brief periods of rest. HIIT training has been shown to be an effective way to get maximum results from minimum workout time because it’s just efficient!
HIIT workouts burn a lot of calories while you are doing them, but they also encourage your body to burn fat for a few hours afterward, too. So, in reality, you only need to do a short workout to see extensive benefits. The best thing about HIIT is that you don’t necessarily need a lot of fancy equipment. Using body weight or small dumbbells, you can do these parent workouts in a home fitness room if you don’t have time to go to the gym.
Do Full-Body Moves
Another way to get maximum results from minimum workout time is to choose exercises that work your whole body. This way, you are activating more than one muscle and using them together in a fluid motion. Exercises like squats, lunges, and push-ups are great examples of full-body moves. These exercises target multiple muscle groups at once, so you can tone your whole body.
Choose Weights Over Cardio
If you only have time for a quick workout, it is better to choose weights over cardio. Cardio, such as running or cycling, is great for your heart health and can help you burn calories. However, if your goal is to build muscle or tone up, weights are a better choice.
When you lift weights, you are working your muscles and making them stronger. This will help you see results faster than if you were just doing cardio. Having higher muscle mass also means that your base calorie burn is greater, so it’s easier to maintain a healthy weight.
Get Your Diet Right
Finally, it is important to remember that diet plays a big role in your fitness. No matter how much you work out, if you are eating unhealthy foods, you will not see the results you want. Eating a healthy diet will help improve your energy levels, recovery times, and overall health. It is also essential for weight loss or maintenance.
Consider supplements like Recov Faster to support your diet, too, so your muscles repair themselves quickly and you are able to keep up with short, high-intensity workouts. As long as you give your body the fuel that it needs, you will see results in no time.
Incorporate Your Parent Workouts Into Your Routine
One final tip for getting results is to incorporate exercise into your everyday routine. This doesn’t mean that you have to go to the gym every single day, but it does mean finding ways to move each day so that it feels normal rather than another item on your list.
Even something small like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, going for a walk on your lunch break, or standing up and moving around every hour or so can make a big difference on how you feel and the energy you have. All of these little things add up, and they can help you burn extra calories without having to set aside time specifically for working out.
Just remember that consistency is key if you want to stay healthy.
For other fitness tips and parent workouts, head to our Health & Wellness page!
Featured Image Credit: Ketut Subiyanto
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