How Parents Can Stay With Going To The Gym

So for years I would on again, off again go to the gym. I'd get really into it for a couple weeks and then skip one day, then another, and before I knew it, it had been months since I'd been to the gym. I got married, and then had kids, and since then I've had a built it excuse not to make time for the gym. It's just to hard with two kids a full time job, and all the other stuff that goes along with having a family.

How To Get In The Routine

So recently I was inspired to try to give it another run. In fairness my kids are now 5 and 4 and not babies anymore, and sleeping through the night. I don't suggest trying to start up a gym routine until all your kids are sleeping through the night. Both my wife and I joined a gym with a commitment of two years and a down payment to get started with membership. I think part of my drive comes from knowing that I'm paying for the gym every month and it would kill me to know I'm wasting money (although that didn't stop me in the past). The real key for us is having some time to ourselves. When you have a family, between your job, you kids, your spouse, and all the schedule activities, you time is never your time. When is the last time you were sitting on the couch bored and trying to think of something fun to do. If you are a parent, that feeling is a fuzzy memory!

You Time

So for me I think of the gym as the only chance that I really get time for just myself. I can't make dinner, drive to soccer practice, or any other kid/family duties when I'm running on the treadmill. In the past I would always want to skip and when I was doing well I would need to push myself to go to the gym. Now I really don't want to miss it because it is that chance to have a block of time just for myself. It really is a great feeling to just be able to be alone with your thoughts and know you aren't going to be interupted.

How Often

I have been trying to get there at least two times a week and three if possible. Sure if my only goal was to get in really great shape I should go 5-7 times, but that's not really the goal. The goal is to have some personal time, and try to get a little fit and healthy at the same time. You can do that in 2 to 3 two hour sessions a week. I go two week nights after work, and my wife goes on two alternate nights, so we don't have to worry about daycare for the kids. Sure it would be nice if we could go together and spend some time with one another (and we do when we can) but we'll do what we can for now.

So if you are a parent and would like a little bit of personal time and would like to try to stay fit and healthy then get some tunes on your Ipod and get signed up at your local gym. I'm telling you, you'll be amazed how much the personal time really drives you to not want to miss a night at the gym!