We’ve all been there: swamped with life’s demands and feeling like we need to squeeze in a workout. For me, just 20 minutes a day, 5 or 6 days a week, is my achievable fitness goal. That’s it!
In those brief 20 minutes, I can either jog/walk nearly 2 miles or unroll my yoga mat for a straightforward routine I mastered long ago, before life got busier. Nothing I do is overly challenging. My main focus is to break a sweat and enjoy the wave of feel-good hormones that follow. At this stage of my life, I’m not exercising to achieve a sculpted physique or slim down a size or two. Sure, that was my motivation back in the day, but now it’s all about keeping up with my energetic kids as they dash down the street.
I want to maintain enough flexibility to touch my toes and strengthen my core so my back doesn’t give out every time I bend down to pick up toys. During my yoga sessions, I sneak in a few kegels too—trust me, after two pregnancies, I’ve learned that a little pelvic floor care goes a long way.
I’ve got one body to carry me through this life, and I have a lot planned. If I neglect it now, it will only deteriorate more rapidly, and I need to stay fit enough to chase after my grandkids one day!
I’ve stuck to my routine; in fact, I’ve managed to squeeze in about 20 minutes of exercise most days for the last decade. When my kids were babies, I’d pop them in a carrier and take brisk walks around the neighborhood or sneak in some yoga while they napped—even if it meant pausing to nurse or soothe them back to sleep (they were light sleepers for what felt like an eternity).
Sometimes, those 20 minutes stretch into a half-hour or even longer, but if I set a goal of 30 minutes, I might just back out. For some reason, keeping it to 20 minutes feels far more manageable. It’s strange, I know, but that’s the mindset that works for me.
The key is finding a form of exercise that fits into your life, not something that feels like a chore. Every January, I see a flurry of people with ambitious fitness resolutions. “I’m joining the gym and will go every day!” or “I just started this intense workout program, and I feel amazing!” (Note: That expensive program might not be sustainable in the long run!)
If those big resolutions motivate you, then great! However, I notice that when people dive headfirst into drastic lifestyle changes, they often struggle to maintain them over time. As a busy work-at-home mom of two spirited boys, committing to the gym or regular classes isn’t feasible for me. Plus, as an introverted mom, group workouts don’t appeal to me. Exercise is my time—my time to sweat, unwind, listen to my favorite tunes, or simply enjoy the silence.
Physical activity helps me clear my mind and manage stress. It’s restorative, uplifting, and essential for my well-being. I believe everyone should find ways to move daily, tailored to their needs. As parents, we owe it to our children to prioritize our health, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day. It doesn’t need to be complicated or lengthy, but it must be doable and enjoyable—otherwise, it simply won’t happen.
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In summary, the key to exercising regularly is to set achievable goals that integrate seamlessly into your life. By keeping it simple and enjoyable, you’re more likely to stick with it over time.