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Working out can be hard on busy parents. You may not always have time to make it happen- or so you think. Even on our busiest of days you can still get in a significant workout. All it takes is a bit of planning and a few tips to make it happen!

Download an App Right Now

There are multiple apps that help you track how many calories you are consuming and they act as a food journal, which many experts agree you should keep because it is one of the best ways to lose weight. You can even use the app to meal plan and make a grocery list. Each night take about five minutes (it can be done on the commercials of your favorite nightly television shows) and fill out your meals for the next day. The tracker will save you time, tells when you are to eat, and shows you where you have free time to get in a quick workout.

Know Your Schedule

The more you know about your day, the more you can plan workouts. Your schedule needs to include travel times, errands, and even meals. Do not forget any of these things or you may miss out on crucial minutes to get in a workout.

Plan Your Workouts Ahead of Time

Take a day to plan your workouts for the week and remember three very important things- you need to reach your target heart rate for 45 minutes a day, 5 days a week to lose weight; you CAN break that down into short sessions and get the same benefits; strength training is as important as or more so than cardio. With that in mind, you can plan to do three fifteen minute workouts that incorporate cardio and weights, and one fifteen minute workout that is all strength training.

Break Down the Workouts

Do 15 minutes of cardio before breakfast, then do 15 minutes of strength training and cardio before you eat lunch (run up the stairs or do some aerobics with weights). If you work, do 15 minutes of cardio and weights as soon as you get home, and if you don’t work, do 15 minutes while the kids are napping or having quiet time. Two hours before bed do the 15 minutes of strength training. You’ve gotten your 1 hour in without missing a beat in your schedule.

Workout in Unexpected Places

You may be stuck at a desk, but you can still do squats. You may be in traffic or the schools pick up line, but if you bring dumbbells with you then you can do some arm curls while you wait. The key is to knowing what your schedule will entail and plan your workouts around your day.

What are some of the things you do to get a workout in with a busy schedule?

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