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Last Updated on May 4, 2025
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What is a mother if not a master juggler, balancing a dozen roles at a time, being a chef, chauffeur, teacher, nurse, and sometimes, even referee. In between all of this chaos it can be pretty difficult to carve out special time for personal wellness.
Exercise often feels like an impossible mountain to climb for moms. Yet, it can seem even harder to summit if you look at fitness in terms of fitting into your pre-pregnancy jeans or hitting a certain number on the scale.
Perhaps it is time we revised our goals and focused on getting stronger, feeling more energized and being more capable overall to take over life’s many challenges! Here are a few practical mom-approved tips and tricks that can turn your workouts from a chore to a rewarding routine;
1. Begin with the Mindset
Instead of labelling exercise as self-care, quite a lot of new moms associate guilt with the activity and consider it selfish. You may continue to feel like you are constantly being pulled away from your family and that even the 20 minutes you choose for yourself should have been dedicated to a chore that needs to be done.
Here’s the truth; the more time you invest in yourself the healthier and more energized you would be. An energetic mom is a better mom overall! Think of exercise not as a luxury but as a necessary investment in your mental and physical well-being. As you get stronger your family benefits too.
2. Setting Realistic and Flexible Goals
You don’t need to spend an hour at the gym every morning and wake up at 5 a.m. to consider yourself healthy and fit. That will never be feasible for a mom who almost always has a baby on their hip or toddlers running around.
Instead, what you should do is aim for shorter, more manageable workouts. A 10–30-minute workout is more than enough. Just aim to be consistent and follow it through till the end. A great trick that works for beginners is the 5-minute rule.
Tell yourself you’re just going to do 5 minutes. Most of the time, once you start, you’ll keep going. Even if you stop at 5, at least you did something!
3. Dedicate a Space or Time
Your environment can work wonders on your motivation to workout. Even if you’re placing a yoga mat in the far corner of your bedroom, you can definitely encourage your brain to step into “workout mode.”
Alternatively, you could reserve a consistent time of the day for your fitness, such as early morning or nap time, which helps you form a habit that sticks longer. What works for some moms is laying out their workout clothes a night before or to sleep in them. Fewer steps = fewer excuses.
4. Use Technology to Hold Yourself Accountable
Dozens of fitness applications that exist out there have been uniquely designed to fit a mom’s schedule. You can access 7-minute workout apps to free YouTube HIIT sessions. Endless resources are at your disposal, just a click away. You could also join online communities to exchange tips or simply rant about your everyday struggles.
Regardless of the many resources that exist out there, there’s nothing better than a fitness trainer to guide you through your journey. Professional trainers know your unique personality, goals, and issues, and can model workout plans as well as times that work for you.
5. Don’t Forget to Celebrate Small Wins
Small achievements matter just as much as big ones. Don’t wait to hit a big milestone to start celebrating. Make a big deal out of every win, whether it is choosing to walk instead of sitting on the couch, doing a couple of squats while folding your laundry, or walking up and down the stairs.
All these small victories add up and, before you know it, they become an active part of your lifestyle. The secret is to find what you enjoy, set aside 5-10 minutes to do it, and then follow through consistently. The best workout is one you’re actually going to do.
6. Skip the Tough Love
Be kind to yourself. As a mother, most days you face will be full of challenges. You may be exhausted, overwhelmed, or emotionally drained. If you’re just not feeling up to it, it is totally okay to skip on a workout. Just don’t give up on yourself completely.
Pro Tip: Try treating yourself like you would deal with your best friend. You aren’t going to shame your best friend for needing some rest, are you? Extend yourself that same kindness.
Final Thoughts
Motherhood does come with a pause button. Life doesn’t either. However, as you are dealing with all the chaos, there are tiny moments that can be claimed just for yourself.
The minute you get some time, channel that inner motivation and positive mindset. Get a few minutes of exercise in and mark it off your checklist. Repeat that as many days as you can!