Fall Workouts For Parents

Young family running

Staying busy this Fall? For parents, school activities are now in full swing. While summer provided you with plenty of opportunity to bond with your kids, it also provided lots of downtime, which may not have been filled with as much exercise or ways to keep yourself fit as you wanted. Not to mention, who doesn't like multiple scoops of ice cream or snow cones on hot days? Here are some tips to keep your health up during the fall!

The holiday season is upon us and that means not-so-healthy menus to go with them. Get a handle on any looming unhealthy habits before it happens, and get yourself back in the routine of staying active.

Now that the kids are back in school, you can use the extra time you may have during the day to get in a good workout, and feel healthier along the way.

Make sure that you're eating the right things! If you pack healthy lunches for your child, then do the same for yourself. Drink plenty of water in place of juices or sodas. Plan a healthy breakfast- oatmeal, lean meats, egg white omelets, smoothies, and yogurts are all diverse and healthy ways to start your day. Make sure your lunch is packed with proteins as well as vegetables, like season grilled chicken and a hearty spinach salad. Dinner can be something the whole family can get together and decide on, so make it fun and accessible!

If you want to see results, it's best to stay active for at least 30 minutes a day. If you're dropping kids off for school, picking them up, and have work in between, it can be hard to fit in those 30 minutes. Try exercising at work, getting up a little earlier than usual, or fitting it in after work. If you're exercising after work, see if you can put together a family workout plan into place so everyone can be on the right track.

No matter when you're working out, it's best to be organized about it. Lay out your workout clothes the night before if you're a morning riser. If you're working out later in the day or evening, pack a gym bag beforehand and have it with you for quick changing access. Don't forget the essentials- clothes, shoes, sweat bands if needed, music if wanted, and most importantly, water! Keeping yourself hydrated is key.

If these tips just don't seem to be working and you can't seem to keep to a schedule or exercise like you want to, a personal trainer could be something to look into. Personal trainers will make sure you're doing your exercises safely, will keep you accountable, and can be seen easily by appointments that you set yourself. See if a buddy wants to go with you- it can keep the costs down as well!

If you're interested in learning more about exercise and keeping yourself and your family healthy, visit: www.ymcadallas.org/locations

Interested in personal training? www.ymcadallas.org/personaltraining

Authored by: YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas