Why Working Moms Need to Exercise

I always loved(ish) working out before I had kids.  I was never a die-hard “gym head” but I went a solid 2-3 times a week.  It was something that I enjoyed doing and it made me feel good.

Then I got pregnant.  Morning sickness hit me like a Mac truck so I  stopped working out completely.  Fast forward five years (and two kids) later and here I was completely out of shape and forty pounds heavier.  My active five-year-old and four-year-old left me completely exhausted on most days. I was always tired and just didn’t feel like myself.  I knew something had to give.

On a whim, I signed up for a gym membership and started working out 3-4 days a week. And you know what? I felt better almost immediately. I have more energy, get more accomplished, and am generally happier than I was just a few months ago.   My only regret is not doing this much sooner.

Being a working mom is incredibly hard.  Finding time for anything is insanely difficult, let alone something “for yourself.”  But in fact, investing time to workout is actually one of the greatest gifts you can give not only yourself but everyone around here.

Here is why all working moms should find time for exercise.

1. Energy

After working all day and then coming home to household responsibilities, I didn’t have much energy left for anything else. What killed me most is not having the energy to keep up with my kids.  I always wanted to be an active mom and one that played a lot with my kids. I found that was becoming increasingly difficult to do.

Once I started working out more, I found myself naturally having more energy. I was able to keep up with them much more easily. I didn’t dread going on walks with them after work, but now I look forward to it.   In addition, I’m finding it much easier to keep up with housework and have more energy for work.

2. The Old Me

Mothers are selfless creatures and we give so much of ourselves to everyone else.  Sooooo much of ourselves.  You give so much that sometimes you feel that you don’t even know who you are anymore. For me,  working out is an activity that reminds me of my old self.   It reminds me that I was a person before I had my children and I will be a person after they don’t need me anymore.

3. Mental Well-Being

I’m fortunate to be a pretty even-keel person. Even so, I have noticed a marked improvement in my overall mood since working out more regularly.  I am generally more happy, relaxed, rested, and stress-free.  The link between exercise and mood is strong. In fact, you get an increase in mood from just five minutes of moderate exercise! Regular exercise also improves long-term depression and anxiety. This is yet another way that exercise not only benefits you but those around you.

4. Healthy You & Healthy Family

It is pretty obvious that regular exercise is healthy for you.  Exercise improves cardiovascular health, reduces the risk of diabetes, improves muscle mass and bone density, lowers the risk of chronic disease.   So the benefits to you are pretty obvious. However, working moms who work out also improve the health of your family. Your kids adore you and want to be just like you. Do you want them to exercise and make healthy choices? Start by exercising and making healthy choices yourself. They will start to see that taking care of yourself and working out is just what you do.  You can also find ways to stay active and workout as a family.

5. Daddy Time.

When I’m around my kids, I am it.   I am the one they come to, I am the one that they crawl on, I am the one that they cry too and hug on.   My husband gets lost in the mix. However, taking that time to myself and going to the gym causes him to step up and spend more one-on-one time with the kids.   When I first starting leaving for the gym, my kids would sob hysterically. Now, after a few months they actually look forward to having “dad time”.  I love seeing them bond and make special memories, which would otherwise not be possible if I were home. Spending time away gives your kids a chance to bond with their father/mother/caregiver/etc.

6. Self Esteem

Let’s face it, growing tiny humans in your body, birthing tiny humans, feeding tiny humans, and nurturing tiny humans takes a toll on your body.   Things can get pretty rough and you can easily feel pretty bad about yourself. Especially when you see celebrities in bikinis 3 days after popping out a baby.  Every body is beautiful , especially a body that brought life into this world.   That doesn’t mean that sometimes you feel a little insecure.  Working out can help you gain more confidence and improve your self-esteem, which is never a bad thing.

Finding time to exercise is not selfish. You are not taking time away from your kids and family. In fact, you are actually creating a better, healthier, and more energetic you to give.

Every time you exercise, you are giving a gift to you and your loved ones. You are making an investment in yourself and your family and you will see the returns on that investment for years to come.

What are your reasons for working out?  What are your obstacles and challenges from getting exercise? what other benefits have you experienced? leave a comment!