When summer comes and routines get thrown off, what you need is to hold on tight to your exercise and meditation, NOT to abandon it!
For many of us, summer brings welcomed treats, especially to us in the northeast: daylight, sunshine, beaches, warm weather, and outdoor fun. But the change in routine for families with kids – especially kids who aren’t old enough to be in any sort of summer camp – can throw our exercise routines out the window.
Scooting in to take a much-needed 9:30am yoga class during the week actually works out with the whole pre-school drop off and pick up, yet I’ve found myself kissing that morning yoga class goodbye as the school year for my little ones comes to an end.
Now, any fool knows that a mama has GOT to get her sweating-fix in order to simply survive the responsibilities of motherhood, but what the hell do we do when childcare and routines are all thrown off?
And it’s not just moms.
Everybody deserves to feel great in every season. Staying fit and healthy in the summertime is especially important because exercise, especially yoga and hot Pilates, truly serve as injury-prevention.
Here’d the deal, I’ve been “sweating” professionally as a mom for five and a half years now, and all I can say is make sure you stick to your workouts in the summertime, or better yet, begin a health and fitness routine if you don’t have one NOW. Not only do we want and need to be healthy and strong for our kids, but also taking that precious time for ourselves gives us the tools we need to handle the juggling of routines.
If you’re wondering how the heck you’re going to squeeze in your workouts this summer, here are 5 fool-proof ways to help you stick to it.
1. Be like the sun and rise early
If you’re typically that mid-morning exerciser but you’re worried you’ll have to throw in the towel for your morning yoga class because the kids are out of pre-school, take a hint from Mother Nature get up with the sun. Once you do it a few times – rise earlier than normal – it’s actually quite lovely. At my studio, Hometown Sweat, we offer 6am classes Monday through Friday, so you can get your workout in before the day even begins. It takes a little planning and some self-control not to binge on Schitt’s Creek the night before (oh wait, is that just me?) but it’s so worth it to have put yourself first, literally and figuratively.
2. Or night-owl it
Some of the best workouts I’ve ever had are when I get to blow off steam at the end of the day. If this is how you end up making it happen for yourself, you’ll feel so powerful falling into bed at the end of the night with that workout under your belt. We even have classes as late as 7pm a few nights a week which allow time for the evening responsibilities at home before heading out to sweat.
3. Plan plan plan and plan some more
Whether you work in or out of the home, remember that things like exercise, yoga, and workout classes can appear dispensable … but they’re really not. They’re imperative at helping keep you healthy and sane, so just like you would plan for a doctor or dentist appointment, make sure to schedule in your workout and communicate this to the people in your family. What’s more, when you write down, “Yoga Class, 9:30am Monday” in your actual calendar, you’ll be more likely to keep that plan if something tries to scoot in on top of it. Once it’s down on paper, it’s more legit.
4. Make it social
Plan a date night or a meet-up with a friend, and use your yoga or fitness class as part of the fun. You’re getting a big bang for your buck this way, because you know you want (and need!) to be taking care of yourself anyway, and this way you get to bring a loved one in on the fun. While it takes a bit of planning, my husband and I will sometimes get a babysitter in order to take an evening hot Pilates class and then make sure to use the time after to go out to dinner – no phones – and have a date-night. Gasp!
5. Weekends are for sweating
Well maybe not necessarily weekends, but if you know you have a few days each week where you have a bit more flexibility to take some time for yourself, take advantage!!! I know in our household, the weekends come and go so fast, but I do have more help with the kids. If I’m not mindful about getting my own yoga practice in though, the Sunday Scaries will creep up on me while I’m still getting my feet underneath me from the previous week. Leading up to the weekend (or flexible days), commit to the days you want to work out and make sure it happens.
No matter what the season is, you are the most important thing in your life, so when you take care of YOU, the people in your life are happier and better off.
At Hometown Sweat, we hold epic hot yoga and hot fitness classes early in the morning and as late as 7pm in the evening. So just when you think you have to say goodbye to health and fitness for the summer months, you can turn to Hometown Sweat to help you stay healthy, fit, and resilient no matter what the kids’ schedules hold.
This summer, put yourself first, and realize that when you make YOU a priority, your entire family thrives!
