This blog post is sponsored by 20v.
One thing I often get told is I’m a single mum, and I have no time to exercise. And you know what, I get it. This can be a tough challenge for us, and a tough one for any mum really! But there are things we can do to support our fitness goals, because we deserve, and need to, take the time to look after ourselves too.
Here are some exercise tips, for a time-poor single mum, that have helped me over the years…
1. Walk everywhere
I became a single mum when my baby was a newborn. I wanted to get back into exercise as soon as I was medically able, mainly to help with my mental health. I was going through an emotionally tough time. And I was scared about what the future looked like, for me and my daughter. And so, I started to walk. Every day. I started slow and worked my way up to an hour a day. The logistics were often difficult, as my baby breastfed a lot during her first year. But I planned for it, got myself organised, and made it happen.
2. Online or home gym
This one is great, not only for single mums but also if you don’t live close to a gym or you have little ones and it’s hard to leave the house. I have been building my equipment up over the years, and whilst I don’t have all the bulky equipment, I have a large selection of weights and yoga equipment, I love that I can work out at a time that suits me, in the comfort of my own home, doing a workout at the intensity that appeals to me. There are so many online options, YouTube channels, and apps to choose from.
3. EMS
EMS (electro-muscular stimulation) training was something I was only introduced to recently and gosh do I wish I had known about it earlier. It’s been around for some time and is very popular in Europe. EMS uses small electrical impulses to send the same frequency to your muscles that your brain would normally send to make your muscles contract. It’s safe, non-weight-bearing, and low-impact on your joints. If you used a TENS machine during labour, it feels a bit like that.
I was invited to attend a session at the 20v Studio in Paddington, Sydney, and it was incredible. I was quite nervous beforehand, but it was such a fun experience.
First of all, you virtually have the studio to yourself, apart from possibly one other person, and the personal trainer who guides you through the workout. I loved that this was therefore a comfortable experience for those that feel uncomfortable in traditional gym-type scenarios.
Secondly, twenty minutes of EMS training is the equivalent of a four-hour traditional weights workout or a 90-minute HIIT session. What a time saver!! I’m sure you can relate when I say I need more hours in my day! And this experience gave me my time back. Not only was it fast, but it was so effective!!! My muscles felt it afterward, that’s for sure! Even muscles I didn’t know existed.
The other things I loved about it were the super friendly and knowledgeable trainers, and the added benefits of improvements to cardiovascular health, reduction in back pain, releasing of endorphins, tightening of the pelvic floor muscles, and rehabilitation.
Overall, I found it to be a super-efficient, fun, and effective workout, and it ticked all the boxes for me! But don’t just take my word for it, with studios located in Sydney, Melbourne, and the Gold Coast, book your free trial HERE.
4. Mindset
Finally, it’s not a matter of not having time, it’s just about how you can make this work if it’s a priority to you. I believe in exercise. I believe in exercising for overall well-being and mental health. I believe in mums, and especially single mums, looking after themselves. As Marie Forleo says Everything is Figuroutable. I know you can do it, and using these exercise tips for a time-poor single mum I believe you can make it happen.
P.S DID YOU KNOW?
Thrive Tribe – the global membership experience for single mothers – will be opening again soon. Join the waitlist here.
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