I’m a mom of 3 little girls; I’m also a military wife so our families are far away and it’s hard for me to get help from someone watching the little ones on a daily basis. The gyms around here have great childcare for my two older daughters, but for my 3 month old, they are not so good and I’m not very comfortable leaving her there yet. So, here is where working out at home comes into the picture.

If I didn’t have options to workout at home, I’m pretty sure I would not get it in during my busy days at all. By the time my husband comes home, it’s time for some quality family time, dinner, bath and story time before putting the little ones in bed, and it’s not realistic for me to go to the gym then. I’m a fitness instructor and I even have a difficult time getting there! I love the gym, I love the people and especially the energy in group classes, however, at this particular time in my life the gym is not my top priority; but being healthy is, and there are tons of awesome options for mommies who choose to work out at home!

Most of all it is simple; you don’t need a big space or a lot of equipments. You can either include your little ones into the routine or working out before they wake up or when they are down for a nap. Why not be setting the awesome example and bring them in the stroller while going for a run, have them burn off some energy next to you while doing a DVD or why not use them as some extra weight when doing squats, lunges or ab-twists?! My daughters love working out with me, plus its fun for me as well! And yes, it is so very convenient many days to not have to leave your home! You save traveling time, getting your kids in and out of the car, and you don’t have to get dressed and ready to go somewhere. That shirt with spit up on your shoulder is totally okay to workout in… no excuses!

Post work out, stretching with my baby girl

It’s cost efficient, you can invest in some hand weights, medicine balls, resistance bands, but you don’t need big machines. And actually, many times your own body is the perfect tool. Some other great things are at home dvd’s and magazines, but maybe the biggest one these days is You Tube. So many great free workout videos on there: mommy work outs, HIIT work outs, strength training with your own body and so many more different options. (Check out SkinnyMom on You-Tube for sure!!)  The opportunities at home are endless and it really can be fun!

So if you are like me, a busy mom with not much time on your hands, working out at home might be your perfect match. Sometimes we are making fitness more complicated than it has to be. Adapt your fitness routine to your everyday life, change the routine up as your life changes, and most of all keep it fun and interesting!

Please share with me in the comments – are you a gym mama, workout at home, or both?

Have a happy fit day!