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The Secret to Consistent Exercise? Keep Expectations Low
Twenty minutes a day, five or six days a week. That’s my fitness mantra, plain and simple.
In those two glorious minutes, I can jog-walk nearly two miles or unroll my yoga mat for a nostalgic routine I picked up long before parenthood. Nothing I do is too demanding; my primary aim is to work up a light sweat and soak in those delightful endorphins that follow a workout. At this stage of life, I’m not hitting the gym to achieve a sculpted physique or shed dress sizes—those were once my goals, but now they’ve taken a back seat.
I exercise to keep up with my kids as they dash down the street. I work out because I believe I should be able to touch my toes and maintain some core strength so I don’t throw my back out every time I bend down to pick up after my little tornadoes.
While I’m in the midst of yoga, I sneak in a few kegels too. After two pregnancies, if I don’t prioritize my pelvic floor, I’d be in a bit of a pickle every time I sneezed or laughed—definitely not a fun surprise!
I only have one body to carry me through this life, and there’s so much I want to do with it. If I neglect it now, I know it’ll start breaking down faster than I can keep up with. I want to be spry enough to chase after grandkids someday!
And I have stuck to my routine. For the past decade, I’ve managed to squeeze in around 20 minutes of exercise most days. When my kids were tiny, I’d strap them in a baby carrier and take brisk walks around the neighborhood, or sneak in some yoga while they napped—often interrupted by the need to nurse or settle them down (seriously, my babies were the champions of light napping!).
Sometimes those 20 minutes stretch into half an hour or more. But if I set my goal at 30 minutes, I’d probably chicken out and skip it altogether. There’s something about that 20-minute mark that feels far more achievable to me. It’s a little mind trick that works wonders.
Ultimately, exercise must fit your life and not feel like a chore. Each New Year, I see folks diving headfirst into lofty fitness ambitions—“Today’s the day I’ll join a gym and go every day!” or “I just started a two-hour workout routine, and I’m feeling fantastic!” (Spoiler alert: that trendy fitness program might cost a fortune, and chances are, you won’t stick with it long-term).
If those grand resolutions work for you, go ahead! But I find that rushing into drastic changes often leads to burnout, especially when people have unrealistic expectations after splurging on pricey memberships.
As a busy work-from-home mom of two energetic boys, I can’t realistically commit to a gym or regular classes. Plus, as an introvert, the thought of exercising in a crowd doesn’t appeal to me. My workout time is sacred “me time”—a chance to rock out to my favorite tunes or enjoy some peaceful silence.
Exercise helps me clear my mind and manage stress. It’s rejuvenating, nurturing, and essential for my sanity.
I truly believe everyone should engage in daily movement, whatever that looks like for them. As parents, we owe it to our kids to steal a few moments each day to prioritize our health. It doesn’t need to be extravagant or lengthy; it just has to fit your life, be manageable, and ultimately be enjoyable. Otherwise, let’s be honest, it’s just not going to happen.
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Summary:
The key to maintaining a regular exercise routine lies in setting achievable goals. Aiming for just 20 minutes a day, rather than overwhelming yourself with lengthy commitments, can make all the difference. Exercise should be a personal experience that fits seamlessly into your life, transforming it from a chore into a form of self-care. Remember to find what works for you and enjoy the journey!