Most mums can’t even go to the bathroom without an audience, so finding spare time to stick to an exercise regime can seem like an impossible task!

But even if you were to make time, a new survey has worryingly found that over half of mums reveal they feel too guilty to take time for themselves and exercise.

Study finds mums feel too guilty to work out

Research released by Sport England found that of over 1,000 mums surveyed as many as six in ten admitted to feeling guilty about taking time out to work out instead of spending it with their family.

56 per cent of mums said their top priority was spending time with their children, 53 per cent said housework was a top priority outside of work and 28 per cent said cooking was a priority for their free time.

Of those surveyed, only one in five priorities their own exercise!

However, 77 per cent of mums admitted they wanted to do more exercise and 21 per cent said the cost of keeping fit was a reason why they were unable to stay active.

“This research gives mums a really powerful message about the importance of self-care,” says psychologist Emma Kenny.

“As a mum, you may believe that looking after everyone else’s needs is your main priority, but the truth is that you need to take care of yourself first and foremost, because that ensures you have the energy to look after those you love.

“The best thing about being a healthy and active mum is how it translates to your children.

“Research shows that active mums have more active kids, and that makes for a healthier family, and a fitter future, something every parent wants for their children.”

The good news is, busy mums CAN find time to exercise and they don’t have to encroach on precious family time!

7 ways busy mums can find time to exercise WITHOUT feeling guilty

1. Start early

Try getting up before the children get out of bed. While it may seem like you may be tired doing it this way, you’ll actually find you have more energy!

2. Schedule

Like most things in our lives, the best way to ensure exercise is to schedule it in each week.

Put it in your calendar at the beginning of each week, choose your workout of choice and then just do it. No excuses!

3. Involve the kids

If you can’t get away from the kids to work out in peace, then include them. Babies can be used as the perfect weight to squat with.

Strap your baby to your back and climb the stairs. Run with your toddler in the pram. Have your toddler hold on to your shoulders while you breast stroke through your laps! There are HEAPS ways to make this work.

4. Utilise the creche

Whether this is at your local gym or finding a trainer who includes the kids in their program, or mum and bubs classes that provide babysitting services – use them!

5. Try a two-minute workout

Exercising doesn’t necessarily have to be in an hour block. It can be two minutes here and two minutes there. Squat while unpacking the dishwasher, lunge in between hanging the washing out.

6. Choose your workout!

You don’t have to join a fancy gym, the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge has SO many exercises that you can do from the comfort of your living room. You could always do them with your kids or while they’re napping.

Check them out here.

7. Just do it!

It is so easy to make excuses to avoid exercising. But our children should not be our excuse, they should be our reason to live a healthy life.

How to fit exercise into your work day

Study reveals the BEST time of day to exercise to help keep the WEIGHT OFF!

Are you ready to become a Healthy Mummy?

If you are wanting to lose weight and improve your energy – not to mention – help improve your overall health and wellbeing – our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge is an awesome program to check out.

Our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge includes:

• 28 days of at home exercise routines (no gym needed) – with video instruction
• Customisable and breastfeeding friendly meal plans (including 7 Day Cleanse)
• Time-efficient exercises for busy mums
• Challenge combines Pilates exercises with interval and circuit training (HIIT)
• Suitable for basic to advanced fitness levels
• Home to thousands of EASY-TO-MAKE recipes!

To learn more about our 28 DAY WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE CLICK HERE or purchase our breast-feeding friendly Smoothies.

Seven mums share their amazing weight loss transformations

Heidi Reynolds has lost a MASSIVE 70kg and learnt to love her body, scars and all!

When Heidi first signed up to the Healthy Mummy 28 Day Weight Loss Challenges two years ago she weighed 135kg and hated every aspect of her body. Including the scaring all over her body due to 36 operations she had had to remove sweat glands to remedy a skin condition.

She says “I was unhappy, I hated myself and in turn I hated the world”.

Inspired by the amazing results from everyday mums just like her she decided to give the Healthy Mummy Smoothies and free recipes a go and started walking twice a day. She says “in the first week I lost 6kg and was feeling amazing. After that I joined the 28 Day Weight Loss challenge and found a love for good healthy food I had never eaten before”.

Over the next 12 months she lost a further 65kg and completely changed her life. She says “I went from a life I didn’t want to be in, to a life I LOVE being in!”

After maintaining her weight for the past 6 months she is focussed on toning her body by following the exercises on the Challenge App.

She says “I really can’t put into words how much The Healthy Mummy has helped me change the way I think about my body.

I’m now so happy and love everything about my body, even the scaring. Thank you Healthy Mummy!”

Read more about Heidi’s weight loss journey here.

Tanja Kortsen has lost 40kg and says her whole family has benefited!

Tanja started The Healthy Mummy 28 Day Weight Loss Challenges over a year ago and says that making social connections through The Healthy Mummy Facebook Community has helped a lot.

She says, “I stick to the recipes and love the Challenge App as it helps me meal plan. My whole family of five joins in with both the exercise and the healthy eating”.

Read more about Tanja’s weight loss journey here.

Megan Carter’s 30kg weight loss helped her overcome depression and gain ‘self worth’

Since incorporating The Healthy Mummy lifestyle in her life 8 months ago, Megan has overcome anxiety and depression and is fitter, stronger, healthier and happier.

She says, “I’ve gotten ‘me‘ back! I give 100% each and every day, no matter what because I deserve to feel amazing, I deserve to have body confidence, I deserve to love myself, I deserve to live a long, active, healthy and happy life”.

Read more about Megan’s weight loss journey here.

After losing 18kg Lauren Jones has been maintaining her weight loss for 4 years and couldn’t be happier.

Lauren has been on her Healthy Mummy journey for five years!

She says, “It’s been the best five years of my life. I’m happier, healthier and continuously kicking new goals every day!”

Read more about Lauren’s weight loss journey here.

Fiona Mortimer’s 26kg Weight Loss has been life saving

Fiona’s weight loss was a matter of life and death – literally. Being carted away to hospital in an ambulance due to heart complications was the wake up call Fiona needed to make a dramatic change to her diet and lifestyle. After losing 26kg with The Healthy Mummy in just 8 months and looking and feeling fabulous, she has never been happier. And best of all – her heart issues have completely gone! She says “I’m so thrilled and grateful to Healthy Mummy for changing my life and health”.

Read more about Fiona’s weight loss journey here.

Bec Ashworth has lost 50kg’s with help from Healthy Mummy

Bec’s Healthy Mummy journey started almost 10 years ago with the very first Healthy Mummy book.

She says, “We have five little people and after every bub I have used  The Healthy Mummy, the last two bubs I was back to normal by week six!”

Nicole Marnell says she owes the 60KG Weight Loss and her new life to the Healthy Mummy

Nic found The Healthy Mummy at a dark time in her life after her marriage had ended.

She wasn’t looking after herself let alone her 3 children. But all that changed. She says, “The day I found The Healthy Mummy was the first day of the rest of my life.

The Healthy Mummy is more than just a weight loss program. It’s a lifestyle but more than just food and exercise. My mental health is fantastic. My marriage is back on track and better than ever. My kids are happy and best of all we are happy together, being active and healthy. I owe The Healthy Mummy my life”. 

Read more about Nic’s weight loss journey here.