6 ways to get Over mommy Guilt & get a workout In!

find missing shoe, wipe snotty nose, drive to swim team practice, get dinner on the table—when it pertains to doing things for others, mommies are the best! and if you happen to be a mom, you might find the hours you spend focussing on your family leaves little time to devote to yourself. (Especially when you’ve got other tasks on your plate—here’s checking out you, nine-to-five gig). but putting your loved ones first doesn’t have to indicate putting yourself last.

It’s like the message in the safety video on an airplane, played just before takeoff: You have to put the oxygen mask on yourself first, before helping the passenger next to you. Mama, if you want to keep being your family’s wonder Woman, you’ve got to take care of YOU, too.

Here’s how to carve out some precious “me” time, and prioritize your health and fitness goals—for at least 15 minutes a day.

6 ways mommies Can Carve Out Time for Exercise

Do you first. Make checking off a workout your first priority by doing it ideal when you wake up. It might indicate a schedule shift, but it’s worth it! go to sleep when the kiddos do, then rise and sweat before they climb out of bed in the morning. (Create a sleep schedule in your Fitbit app to get bedtime reminders and a gentle vibration when it’s time to wake up.)

Sync with your kid’s schedule. Does your kid have Camiseta Manchester City karate on Tuesday evenings? Great! let him know you’ll be there to cheer him on at the beginning and end of each class. and in the middle, while he’s punching, blocking, and kicking, you can hit up the gym or studio next door for some action of your own. Or just choose a brisk walk around the vehicle parking lot.

Always wear sneakers. One kid’s in soccer, the other plays tee-ball, Camiseta Selección de fútbol de Irán and they both have tournaments this Saturday. Time to map out the ball fields. Are they within half a mile from each other? You can rack up the steps hoofing it back and forth. Not even close? offset all that time in the driver’s seat by walking around the fields instead of joining other parents on the sidelines. bonus offer points for recruiting another mommy to be your walking buddy!

Hire a babysitter already. Yes, they’re expensive (anywhere from $10 to $20 an hour, depending on where you live) but an hour to yourself for exercuse—even if it’s just once a week—can make a big difference for your health and fitness, and if you’re a new mommy it can also help you beat the baby blues. An analysis of 12 published research studies found that exercise can improve mood and improve well-being in mothers taking care of postpartum depression. So book that sitter and sign up for a Zumba or spin class—stat!

Negotiate a workout-trade deal. Whether it’s with your partner or with a pal who also has a rug rat, create a babysitting-swap schedule that allows each of you time to work out. even better, host a play date that doubles as a solo sweat session. simply get the kids together for a couple of hours and trade-off keeping an eye on the littles, giving each mommy at least 30 minutes to workout.

Make me time out of we time. considering that the creation of the jogging stroller in 1983, many mommies (and dads!) have been able to workout with their kids. but what happens if your little isn’t a fan of long rides? give them a destination they can get ecstatic about—like that playground across town with the awesome twisty slide! and when you get there, don’t just sit on a bench and scroll through your phone—hit up the monkey bars, and play! baby too small to strap into a jogger? stay in your living room or head to the backyard and do a 7-minute HIIT workout featuring do-anywhere moves that use your tyke instead of a dumbbell—it’s a terrific way to bond!

With a little creativity and a touch of “It’s mama time!” attitude, you can come up with loads of ways to get moving. Your body will thank you, and—once they see how much healthier and happier you are—your family will, too.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended Camiseta RB Leipzig as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You must not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.

Kimberly Daly Farrell

Kimberly Daly Farrell is the managing editor at Fitbit. A certified health instructor and self-diagnosed running addict, Kimberly studied integrative nutrition and has completed three marathons. She has previously held editorial positions at Shape, Glamour, Fitness, and good housekeeping magazines.