So you desperately want to to workout, but you just don’t know how to workout when you’re tired (especially THIS tired). There are lots of easy, simple ways to find the motivation to exercise when you’re tired- including a bunch of fun workouts for tired moms. Read on for our list of (almost!) fool-proof ideas.
You want to get your fitness routine as a mom sorted out. And you’re trying SO HARD. You’re eating all the right things, you’re drinking water, you’re resisting the snacks.
But you find yourself wondering how to work out when you’re tired AF. (And let’s face it- mamas are almost always EXHAUSTED.)
Sometimes finding the right workout for tired moms is so.dang.hard. So how do you form a habit when your body- and your brain!- is begging you not to make it DO THE EXERCISE?
We’ve got some fantastic fitness tips for moms to help you find the motivation to exercise, even when you’re tired AF.
1. Make it the First Thing You Do Every Day
If you get up early and start the day with exercise, it is MUCH harder to avoid. Are you gonna hit the snooze button sometimes? Or sleep through the alarm? Of course. But even if you only get out of bed in time to get it done a few times a week, that’s a very healthy start!
Go for a quick run around the block, hit the gym, or do the Smart HULA at home. Hit it hard, and get it over with before you chicken out.
2. Make a Date with a Friend
It is WAY easier to shrug off a plan you only made internally. But when someone else is counting on you to take a walk, or a Zumba class, or to hit the treadmill together? You’re much more likely to take the extra effort to get it accomplished.
3. Use Rewards to Motivate Yourself to Exercise
Create a fitness or health challenge with your friends, pay yourself a $1 for every workout, or join our free Facebook group (currently being set up) that allows all tired moms to get together and workout virtually without leaving the house.
You are more likely to stick with your goals if you are motivated to achieve them. So think of what motivates you, and put a system in place to make it happen.
4. Make a Killer Playlist
I have playlists for all my different moods- Lazy Workout, Angry Workout, “Show the Haters” Workout, Strong Woman Workout. It helps to have music to fit my mood and my pacing, so my workout starts to feel like a therapy session.
5. Get the Right Supplies
If you’re going to workout, you’re gonna need the right supplies to keep you physically comfortable. Like a super great sports bra or a headband or a wristband to keep the sweat out of your face. Make sure your shoes fit you well and are appropriate for the type of workout you’re planning.
Get a motivational water bottle, or some gym pants if that’s your thing. I’m not saying to spend a fortune, but if you have the right supplies, it’ll make your workout that much more bearable fun.
6. Be Kind to Yourself
I like to repeat “I can do this, I can do this, I can do this” in my head during particularly difficult portions of a workout. Oh who am I kidding…more often than not I’m the fool saying it aloud.
But I talk to myself about how strong I am, and how capable, and how I’m killing it, and it gives me the extra push I need.
7. Lie to Yourself
I like to tell myself that I’ll do a 30 minute workout and tell myself I’ll just walk for a couple minutes and then sit in the lobby. And then when my few minutes are up, I tell myself “well, I’ll go at an incline but I’m NOT gonna go fast.”
Sometimes I tell myself that I’ll just do a 30 minute workout instead of sitting around. And sometimes that does happen. This happens because I have readily-accessible Smart HULA at my disposition at all times!
But other times, once I working out, I find that I’m not as tired as I thought. Before I know it, I’m finishing up. Even if I only get in 20 minutes instead of a full workout, it’s better than I would have done if I hadn’t gone, so I count it as a win.
8. At Home Workouts for Tired Moms
Are you too exhausted to take the extra step to haul yourself to gym? Or is a gym membership out of your budget? Luckily, there are tons of great workouts that can be done at home.
If you’re a workout video kind of person, we are currently planning a Smart HULA private support group to share Smart HULA and other fun home workout videos with you. Please show your interest to join HERE. We plan to show quick, effective workouts that are easy to add into your day, while your kids are napping or even after they go to bed at night. I use them personally, and they never fail to kick me into gear.
Another way I sneak in a workout is by walking or running my son to school in the mornings. When the weather permits, I throw the kids in the double stroller and jog them over to the school, which is about a mile away. I try to do this even when I’m running late…it’s that much more motivation to run a little faster.
9. Put Your Workouts In Your Calendar
Whether you’re really into fitness journals or you’re just a fan of Google Calendars, you can schedule in workouts for the week or month. I get a lot of satisfaction from checking off those boxes, and do NOT like to leave an item undone.
By writing it down, it reminds me of my priorities and keeps me accountable for my goals.
10. Remind Yourself How Strong You Are
When the going gets tough, I remind myself that I had two babies without epidurals. I mean, if I can do that for FOURTEEN HOURS, I think I can handle twenty minutes worth of discomfort. Think of your strongest moment, and remind yourself that you can do anything.
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There’s our ten best tips for how to workout when you’re a tired mom, but we want to hear YOUR tips in the comments.
What helps you find motivation to exercise when you’re exhausted?