Breaking Free from the "Parent Trap" Pt. 1: Your Schedule Isn’t the Problem—Your Priorities Are
Let’s start with a truth bomb: If I had a dollar for every time a parent told me, “I just don’t have time to work out,” I’d be writing this on my private jet while flying to my private island. But here’s the deal—your schedule isn’t the problem. Your priorities are.
Ouch? Maybe. But stick with me.
I say this not to guilt you, but to empower you. Because once you shift the way you think about time and priorities, you’ll realize that reclaiming your health and fitness is totally within your reach. You don’t need a 2-hour gym session, fancy meal prep, or some mystical stretch of “free time” to get in shape. In case you’re like me and have forgotten what “free time” even means, it’s a theoretical period of time where you are free to do whatever you want… and it exists in the same realm as unicorns and house elves. What you do need is to stop treating your own well-being as optional.
The Parent Mindset Trap
When you become a parent, your entire world shifts. Your time, energy, and focus all get funneled into keeping tiny humans alive. Somewhere along the way, your workouts, healthy meals, and sleep habits get demoted to the bottom of the to-do list—right next to “clean out the junk drawer” and “organize family photos.”
And while you might convince yourself that skipping workouts and grabbing convenience foods is just part of the parenting package, the reality is: prioritizing your health makes you a better parent, not a selfish one.
Think about it. When you’re exhausted, stressed, and running on fumes, are you really showing up as the best version of yourself for your kids? Or are you running on caffeine and irritation, just surviving the day?
If you want more patience, energy, and longevity to keep up with your kids—not just now, but for years to come—you need to stop treating your health as a luxury.
Priorities vs. Excuses
Let’s talk priorities. Because no matter how busy you are, you always make time for what truly matters.
You’re exhausted, but you still wake up when your toddler cries at 3 AM.
You’re swamped, but you somehow find time to scroll social media for 20 minutes.
You have zero energy, but you make sure your kids eat dinner every night.
The things you prioritize get done. The real question isn’t “Do you have time?” but “Are you willing to prioritize yourself?”
How to Make Time for Fitness—Without Overhauling Your Life
If you’re nodding along but still wondering how to fit fitness into your life, here’s the good news: You don’t need to carve out huge chunks of time. You just need a new approach.
1. Reframe Your Thinking
Stop seeing workouts as an all-or-nothing commitment. Even 10-15 minutes is better than nothing.
View exercise as a form of hygiene, not a chore. (You wouldn’t skip brushing your teeth, right?)
2. Stack Your Habits
Do squats while brushing your teeth.
Plank while playing with your toddler on the floor.
Walk laps around the park instead of sitting on a bench scrolling your phone.
3. Leverage “Hidden” Time
Got 5 minutes between meetings? Do bodyweight exercises.
Watching TV at night? Do core work instead of just sitting. Or at least sit on the floor to stretch out those hamstrings!
Take the stairs instead of the elevator and park on the far side of the grocery lot.
4. Get Your Kids Involved
Turn workouts into playtime—think races, obstacle courses, or dance parties. Currently, if my daughter is jumping in her crib, she demands I jump as well… boom, I just got some plyometric training in!
Strap your baby into a carrier and do squats or lunges.
Set a challenge: “Let’s see who can hold a plank the longest!”
5. Schedule It Like an Appointment
Put workouts on your calendar like any other commitment.
Treat them as non-negotiable, just like you would a work meeting or school drop-off.
The Bottom Line
Your health is not a luxury. It’s the foundation that allows you to show up fully for your family, your work, and yourself. If you’re waiting for the perfect moment to magically appear in your schedule, you’ll be waiting forever.
So stop blaming time. Start taking control. Even small changes, done consistently, add up. And if you’re struggling, I’m here to help. Because you deserve to be strong, energetic, and thriving—not just for your kids, but for you.