Zen Pen Fitness

Q: I am so busy with my kids schedule, I can’t seem to make any time in to exercise, especially an efficient workout. Can you please help?

A: Gladly! We certainly don't need a gym to get an efficient workout!  An efficient workout would be targeting the front & back of each muscle group for balance in the body, using multi muscle groups at a time, (as we do in life), create the movements in our exercise that we do in our day to day routines, (which is called functional training) and lastly maximize our time. (Love that one)!! It's a lot to think about at first but we are of the modern day mom! We as moms get more efficient with juggling, prioritize & re-prioritize on a daily basis. It's what we do.  So, a few helpful hints for people struggling with finding the time to exercise…

1. Pushups (my favorite exercise). We can do many versions of pushups where ever we are. If we are in the park we can do them on the ground, if we are in a parking lot waiting for our children to come out of school, we can use the car to "push" off of, or we can do them against a wall...

2. We can do lunging in the parking lot, or lunge as we go back & forth to our car from a normal daily errand.

3. We can do squats wherever we are...outside, inside, I do them in the bathroom at the airport because my husband takes me get there so darn early, so I figure why not use it to my benefit.

4. You can use your children's book bag to do biceps curls & triceps extension while waiting for them to finish their after school lessons, etc (with homework these days, this bag will be a huge challenge)

5. You can park your car further away & do fast walking or sprints

6. You can do calf raises while cooking dinner, you can stand on one leg & practice balance while brushing your teeth

7. You can stretch your quads & hamstrings while waiting in line at the grocery store!!

There is always plan B. When there is a will, there is a way. You can always optimize your time if you set your mind to it.  Keep some sneakers; lose clothing & water in your car at all times.