Workout Tips

Finding the Time to Work out When Your Kids are in School

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

With such an easy carefree schedule in the summer I always managed to find time to exercise, whether it was going to the gym, swimming, or playing outside with my kids. But now that the kids are back in school, our schedules are busier than ever and between driving them back and forth to activities and participating in school and sporting events, it's so difficult to find time to work out. How can I find the time to stay in shape with our hectic schedules?

Sincerely,

When to Work Out

A:

Dear When to Work Out,

A lot of parents have difficulty trying to find the time to exercise when their kids go back in school.

Ideal exercise times:

• Right after drop off at school or after the school bus picks up is a great time to get out of the house and go exercise. It's much easier to do it then because as the day goes along, there are a million (right?) reasons not to go. If you leave with the kids and go straight to the gym or exercise class, you're more likely to beat the odds and get that exercise class in.
   
• Right before pick up. If you drive to pick up your kids at school, schedule your work out for that hour before you have to be in the pick up line.
   
• Make a friend! You're much more likely to go to the gym if you have a buddy who's also on the same schedule you are. Keep your eyes open for gym bags and workout clothes when you're taking your child to school.
   
• Stock your car with an extra set of sneakers, workout clothes, yoga mat, swimsuit -- whatever you need to NOT say -- I can't, I don't have my gear.
  

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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