Busy moms and dads need to carve out time to exercise even with their busy schedules.
Having to spend most of your day bent over keyboard plus cope with the demands of a family and job is very stressful, and exercise is a tried-and-true stress reliever.
Here are some tips to squeeze free or low-cost exercise options into your schedule.
1) Go for a walk --Even if you don't have a lot of spare time, a 20- or 30-minute walk will do wonders to reduce your stress levels.
If you have young kids, put them in the stroller and get them some fresh air at the same time.
If you prefer to walk alone, arrange to get up early before your spouse goes to work.
If you're a single parent, try to arrange trading babysitting with a trusted neighbor so you can both fit in a walk.
2) Don't let the weather stop you --You can buy many great exercise DVDs inexpensively or even borrow them from your local library.
The DVDs use relatively cheap equipment such as hand weights and/or exercise bands.
No weights? Improvise with cans of food or bottles filled with water.
Kids love to exercise along with mom or dad too.
3) Borrow the kids Wii --Nintendo is adding titles to their Wii exercise line all the time.
There is even a yoga program.
Lots of fun options here.
Buying a Wii and the available programs is not a cheap proposition, but neither is a gym membership.
If you're paying through the nose for a gym membership, this might be a great option for you.
4) Gain credits, gain fitness--Check into your local college's offerings from the physical education department.
You can take everything from weight lifting to team sports, maybe even get your Scuba certification.
You will gain course credits at the same time that will count towards a degree.
5) School fitness center--Many schools have state-of-the-art fitness centers available for their students' use.
If you're an online student, check into your local community college.
They may also have hours when their fitness facilities are open to the public for reasonable fees.
These are just a few of many exercise options available for busy parents.
You'll be glad you took the time for fitness; you'll be a happier, less-stressed parent for it.
Just remember, exercise doesn't have to be an expensive pursuit if you use a little creativity.