Staying Active with Kids Back in School

The lazy days of summer can slip into endless errands as children go back to school. Almost everyone is busy, but school supplies, new clothes, homework, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and sports like soccer, softball, cheerleading and karate can make for a full hectic schedule. So it’s no surprise that the more physically active your kids are, the less active you are. Here are some tips to help busy moms maintain a workout regimen while on the go during the school year.  

• Track calories burned by wearing a wristband like Fitbit or Up. In addition to calories burned, they measure sleep, steps taken and activity level. If you have time, you can enter what you eat and drink. For instant readouts, choose a model that syncs to your smart phone.
• On weekends, get the kids to help pull weeds, rake leaves or plant tulip bulbs. You can spend active time as a family while crossing things off your to-do list.
• If everyone in your family doesn’t own a bike, rent some and ride together. Many cities have paved sidewalks that meander through open space or public parks. You can watch the leaves change colors and enjoy the bracing fresh air.
• If your children are young, you can use available equipment to workout while your children play at the playground. Pinterest and Google searches yield many playground workout options.
• If your kids play sports, help coach their team. Many coaches appreciate an extra set of hands. You may think you don’t have time, but you do if you’re at practice anyway.
• If you don’t know enough about your child’s sport to help coach, there are other options. While they practice, you can squeeze in physical activity by walkingor running around the field. 
• Schedule physical activities while your children are at practice. If you need a little more “me time,” head for a Jazzercise class. To make the commitment stick, schedule the class with a friend.

Back to school means switching gears, but it doesn’t have to derail your workout plan!