You want to invest in your health, but you’re wondering, “how do I fit it all in?” We’ve been there and so has Tia Stone, a competitive runner and the blogger behind Arkansas Runner Mom (ArkansasRunnerMom.com). Tia wrote this month’s Family Chatter on her love of running and also shared five things that have helped her balance family and exercise.

Tia Stone and her oldest daughter running together in a local 10k.

  • Family support is most important. I would not be able to run at a competitive level without the support of my family, especially my husband. He encourages me to pursue this sport that I love. However, it’s not all about me. His health is just as important and we help each other by making sure we each have the time we need to exercise.
  • Have a plan. Whatever your sport, have a plan you follow. In my case, I have a running schedule with an end goal—a race.
  • Be flexible. Life happens and adjustments need to be made. Kids get sick, things come up and plans change. I know that on any given day I may need to rearrange things and that is ok.
  • Preparation is crucial. The night before an early run I like to have all the kids’ clothes laid out and lunches packed and ready to go in the refrigerator. I know that things will be busy in the morning and having this done is less work. I also make sure my running apparel is out and ready to go. I want to be able to wake up and have all my gear in one place so I can get ready quickly.
  • Be realistic. There have been times when I knew I needed rest and recovery (particularly the first few months after having a new baby), so training took a backseat.

Did You Know?

60 minutes  is the amount of physical activity children and adolescents need each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.gov). Physical Activity should include aerobic activity, muscle strengthening and bone strengthening. Check back later this week for ideas on how you can exercise as a family.