So you may or may not be a mom yourself but you are definitely as busy as one. I’m sure you are probably working long hours, having a social life and of course making time for your nieces and nephews. Who has time for exercise? Well, if this sounds like you then here are a few tips in designing a fitness plan that works for you.

Start simple: Know your outcome.
Is it weight loss? If so, how much? Is it to increase your energy and prevent the onset of illness? Or is it just to look and feel good? Whatever it is you must have a reason to get fit or it becomes very easy to blow off the gym for extra sleep or after-work cocktails.

Make it specific and measurable.
If it is weight loss that you are after, first know what your current weight is. Invest in a digital scale and get on it. There is power in knowing where you are starting from. Then write down your goal weight, paste it on your bathroom mirror, refrigerator and your kitchen cabinets. Marry your number. Now you can track your progress.

A recent study showed that people who weigh themselves daily have the most success at weight management. For people who refuse to weigh themselves, other ways to track your results can be clothes size or actual measurements (waist, hips, or wherever your problem areas are). For example, “fitting into my favorite pair of jeans again”.

Take Action.
Once you have a starting place and a goal you need to close the gap by taking action. Get yourself a good coach, personal trainer, or sign up for group classes. If the gym is overwhelming to you and you are on a budget, most gyms will give you a complimentary session with a personal trainer to show you the basics. If they are well trained, they can give you a short personalized program for you to follow. If the gym is just somewhere you can never see yourself, think of an activity that you enjoy that will have you burning calories just the same. Dancing, Yoga and my favorite, Martial Arts are all great activities that will get you trim and fit and having fun at the same time. Some studios even offer classes that you can take your niece/nephew to with you!

So, no more excuses Aunties! Get out there and get the body and life that you always knew you deserved.