5 tips to help moms get fit and stay fit

Mothers have it hard as they juggle family life, work, and keeping up with their health but, whether they do it in a gym or at home, staying fit is an essential part of a long-term health strategy. In a time of a pandemic, staying healthy is truly a plus.

Latte Built 24 Hour Fitness & Nutrition owner and fitness coach Derek Cutting said that nothing is impossible when it comes to fitness, as commitment is always the first step. Here are his top 5 fitness advice for mothers.

1) PRIORITIZE SELF: “Take care of yourself first! Just like the airline attendant that tells us to put our own oxygen mask on before helping others, we can’t help and care for others if we aren’t taking care of ourselves.”

2) FIND THE TIME: “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of intense exercise weekly.in layman’s terms, that’s only 25 minutes six days per week or 15 minutes five days per week, respectively. It helps that Latte Built Fitness in Oleai and Kagman are open 24/7 for all members. I promise 100% that you can find the time, but you must prioritize it!”

3) FIND THE RIGHT PACE FOR YOU: “Start slowly and work on establishing a routine, just like brushing your teeth. Make the time for your exercising a daily habit that you refuse to miss.”

4) HAVE A WORK-OUT PARTNER: “It’s been proven that working out with someone with similar goals increases your intensity as well as motivation and drive to be consistent. If you don’t have one, start by yourself and make friends in the gym. You’d be surprised what new friends you make with very similar goals.”

5) PRIORITIZE NUTRITION: “Buy only high-quality nutrient-rich foods for your family or household. Leave the ‘craving foods’ at the store. I don’t keep sugary snacks, chips, candy, or ice cream at my house. If it’s out of sight and not immediately available, you’re much less likely to eat it. Research other snack options that are nutrient-rich like celery and peanut butter, cottage cheese and mixed berries, yogurt with a little granola. With that being said, I also understand balance, so sometimes we as a family will go to Scoops or Panda in Garapan for an ice-cream treat and enjoy as a family.”

Cutting said that mothers have the power to inspire the whole family in starting a healthy lifestyle. “Make it a family affair, set a time every evening to do something active as a family, such as walking at the Inos Peace Park, go bicycle riding, [or] play tag in the yard with the children.

“Make exercise a part of the family lifestyle and make it fun. It is guaranteed that you will enjoy the journey in which the destination—a healthier lifestyle—will become inevitable,” he added.