4 Tips to Make Time for Fitness 

There’s this quote that says, “Nobody is too busy; it's just a matter of priorities.” Now that’s great, and very motivating – but when your other priorities are to take care of your kids, work a job to pay your bills, and eat and sleep, those motivating words don't really help much.

For many of us, wanting to make time for fitness isn’t the hard part. Actually finding the time, on the other hand – now that can be a challenge. But trainer Danielle Rivoli assures it’s possible to do it all. 

Rivoli, a mom of two, is also a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certified Coach. Through both her personal experience and her background, Rivoli knows that juggling fitness with family can be a challenge, but it’s absolutely possible. Keep reading to see how she recommends busy parents make time for fitness. 

1. Recognize Any Time is Better Than No Time

“I used to think that five minutes of exercise was pointless, but even accomplishing that, I was able to say, ‘okay, I did five minutes today; tomorrow I’ll try for seven,” Rivoli says of realizing there’s “no such thing as a ‘pointless’ amount of time” spent exercising. 

While five to seven minutes might not be your ideal exercise goal, Rivoli stresses that it’s better than nothing, and any movement is good movement. If you’re strapped for time, and literally only have five minutes in between meetings or nap times, make the most of those five minutes. Pat yourself on the back for getting that daily movement in, and don’t think twice about it being pointless. 

“Your best for the day is what is important,” Rivoli emphasizes. 

2. Workout With Your Kids

There are tons of trainers and coaches out there that’ll suggest working out during your kids’ nap times, but for Rivoli (and for many others), that concept just doesn’t work. “I decided that choosing to workout during naps, or showering, eating or getting some chill time during that time wasn’t something I wanted to choose between,” the trainer says. Instead, Rivoli “made an effort to learn to work out with my kids around.” 

“It was so so hard the first week,” she says. “They’d interrupt, cry, and need things. But the more experience I had with it and the more I stayed consistent, I learned how to keep them happy with trial and error.” 

She explains that she would “give them water, snacks – whatever they needed. I kept them in a safe, gated space right near me so they could see me. And almost most important of all, I explained to my babies (yes, they were so young, and I did this anyway. They understand so much more than you know!) that I was taking 10 minutes for myself to exercise, and mommy would be able to help them with what they needed when I was done.” 

Rivoli says that this process “made a big difference in letting me get things done. It took about two weeks until this was routine for my girls, but they were also used to it, and learned to self-entertain and be content without my attention for 15-20 minutes.” 

Not only does working out like this help you get your fitness in, but it also demonstrates the importance of healthy living to your children at a young age. And as research has shown, active parents lead to active, healthier children. 

3. Ditch the Guilt 

Exercise has so many benefits, both physically and mentally. Yet research conducted by Sport England found that as many as six in ten moms admitted to feeling guilty about taking time to work out instead of spending it with their family. That guilt is certainly not helpful in making time for exercise – and it’s got to go. 

Instead of letting guilt keep you from prioritizing fitness, Rivoli says it’s important to take the time to exercise because ultimately, it makes you a better parent. 

“I later joined a gym with a babysitting room,” she explains. “My kids weren’t thrilled to start with, but I needed the time for myself to be a better mom. When I had the time, I was more relaxed with them and happier due to endorphins, a clear mind, and being stronger and healthier. I literally walked them through the gym and showed them, ‘I’ll be here; there are no kids here, and it’ll be boring, so you stay with the toys.’ Explaining it made the transition a little easier, and within two weeks again, they loved it.” 

While it might be an adjustment at first, Rivoli stresses the importance of making time for yourself without feeling guilty. Again, it not only makes you a better parent, but it also helps your kids be more likely to adopt those healthy habits into their own lives as they grow. 

4. Find Exercises You Love 

Ultimately, there’s no right way to exercise or fit movement into your daily routine. Instead, the best way to prioritize movement is by finding “exercise you love,” Rivoli says. 

“Stop worrying about what you ‘should do,’ or what ‘they say.’ If you like classes, do classes. If you like Spin or CrossFit, figure out a way to do that. Don’t know what you like? Try it all. Do what you can to stay consistent with it. That’s way more important than working out a specific way that you may hate in order to look a certain way,” she stresses. 

The mom of two emphasizes that “if you do it for your health and do what you love, the changes and results mentally and physically will happen. I try to fight heavily against the all-or-nothing mentality and tell my clients we don’t live in a black-and-white world. We live and thrive in color,” Rivoli says.