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I have puny arms. For real. I own two 5 lb dumbbells which are too heavy for me, so I bought a pair of 2 lb ones from Five Below, hoping that would motivate me to lift.
More than one doctor and a nutritionist have told me that strength training would really help a woman of “my age.” (Gosh, I’m not old — just not in my 20s anymore!)
So yes, I know weightlifting is good for me… but truthfully? I haven’t fallen in love with it yet. I’m still trying to convince myself.
But just because I’m not into lifting (yet!) doesn’t mean I’m not moving my body. I’ve found simple, real-life ways to stay active at home — even with three kids and zero gym time.
Walking: My Everyday Go-To
Walking is my #1 way to stay active. And no, I’m not power-walking for miles.
On workdays, I try to sneak in 7–10 minutes of walking before I sit down at my desk. During lunch, I go for another 20-minute walk. That’s it — but it adds up.
On weekends, I turn it into family time. We’re lucky to have an amazing pathfinder trail in our city, and I don’t have to twist my kids’ arms too much to join me. My son is always in if he can bring his bike, one of my daughters usually says yes, and the other one… well, she’s like me and would rather stay inside.
But I tell them, “This is healthy. This is fun. This is family time.” And off we go.
We walk and talk about everything — school, friends, whatever animal we just saw — and before we know it, 15 minutes have flown by. If we’re short on time, we head back. That’s 30 minutes, right there. But if we’re vibing and the weather’s nice, we just keep going. The screens stay off, and we connect while moving.
I love this time with my kids.
3 Other Ways I Stay Active Without a Gym
1. Cleaning Workouts
I set a timer for 20 minutes while I mop the floors or scrub the bathrooms — and I move like it’s a full-blown workout. I count my steps with my Fitbit, and yes — I break a sweat! These chores double as cardio.
2. Stretching During TV Time
When the kids are watching a show or I’m catching up on a podcast, I stretch on the floor or do a few gentle yoga poses. It keeps me from sinking into the couch (for too long, at least!).
3. Step Goals, No Matter What
My Fitbit helps me stay accountable. Even if I’m just pacing around the house, I try to hit a step count goal each day. It motivates me to move during little windows of time — like when I’m waiting for water to boil or a Zoom meeting to start. I even got my girls some budget-friendly fitness watches so they can join in on the step-count competition with me — it makes it fun and keeps all of us moving!
You Don’t Need a Gym to Stay Active
If you’ve been feeling guilty because you’re not making it to the gym — let that go.
Movement counts, even when it’s “just” walking with your kids or dancing while you clean. Every step adds up.
You’re showing up for your body in small, meaningful ways — and that’s enough.
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