I get questions all the time about my fitness routine, so today I’m sharing five ways I make exercising more fun and doable for me. Exercising is one of those things I’ve always struggled with. Consistency is the hardest part for me. I’ve gone through phases of my life where I’m super committed and get in good habits of regular exercise, and then I’ve gone through phases where I don’t exercise for four months straight. I know it’s good for me, and I love how I feel after I’ve exercised, but it’s a struggle to fit in a busy schedule, especially with kids.

I’ve teamed up with Bombas to share a few of my tips to making fitness more fun that definitely help me fit it in! Bombas is an awesome company that makes athletic-leisure socks that are re-engineered to look better, feel better, and perform better. But the best part about Bombas is that for every sock purchased, they donate a pair to those in need, just like TOMS or Warby Parker (and I didn’t know this, but socks are the number one clothing request at homeless shelters)!

Get 20% off your first order (no limit to how many pairs) with code MERRICKSART!

Try a few of these tips to get yourself motivated!

1. Get the right clothing. This one makes a huge difference for me, personally. An unsupportive bra, or cheap running shoes make exercising miserable and you’re much less likely to keep going if you’re in pain afterward. I only exercise in my Bombas socks now because:
  a. they have a “blister tab” on the back that’s like a little pillow for the back of your foot and prevents rubbing or chafing
  b. they have what they call “invisitoe” where they hand link their socks so they don’t have that uncomfortable line that runs across the top of your toes (does that thing drive anyone else insane?).
  c. they have a Y-stitched heel, which a special Y shaped stitch on the bottom that creates a natural cup around your foot so your sock stays in place.
  d. And they come in cute colors, which is always a bonus for me!

I also wear a supportive bra (I don’t currently need one very much, but when I’m nursing it makes a world of difference), and compression leggings.

2.  Go with friends. I don’t do this a lot right now because schedules with our kids make it harder, but in the past I’ve exercised with friends a ton and having someone to keep you accountable makes a huge difference. Plus, time flies when you’re chatting away!

3. Make it convenient. I don’t currently have a gym membership, and I don’t always have the time to load the kids up in the stroller and exercise outdoors, so I bought a few workout videos so I can exercise at home before my kids wake up, or while they’re eating breakfast and playing in the morning. Or find a fitness center by your child’s school and go as soon as you drop them off…just find something that’s convenient so you’ll actually do it!

4. Make it quick. I feel like I have zero time for exercising, but let’s be honest…everyone has 30 minutes in their day they could cut something out and replace with fitness. That’s not to say I always replace it, but I always feel better when I do! If I exercise with my friends, I limit it to one hour so I don’t use up my whole morning. If I do a workout video, I stop after 30 minutes. Or if I don’t feel like I even have time for that, I just run up and down the stairs and do some pushups and crunches for ten minutes. If I know it will take up my whole morning, I won’t do it. But if I know it will only take 20 or 30 minutes, I’m much more motivated to fit it in.

5. Do what you can. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to just do what you can. If you miss a day (or thirty), don’t give up on yourself. Just try a little better the next day. Walk to the park instead of drive, go outside and run around with your kids, run in place while dinner is cooking on the stove. Just fit in what you can, when you can. Just do what you can.

What other tips do you have for fitting fitness in and making it more fun and easy? Share in the comments!

And don’t forget to use code MERRICKSART to get 20% off your purchase at Bombas!