There are ways! I'm part of a running group and the most active among us is a teacher with a husband and two kids. Mindset is key, and sometimes, the season of life you're in is just overwhelming. But even if you start small and just increase your water intake, you have followed two of Michelle's tips and can be doing something for your own health! At my house, we are YMCA members and there is something there everyone in our family can enjoy. Fitness can be a great family activity too.

One of my old coworkers and friends is a teacher with two young kids and she goes to the gym at 4:00 am to train (she also competes in powerlifting) and tracks her macros. I get it, I don't personally have kids so I can't speak to that. But, there are plenty of people with families that live a healthy lifestyle (and a "healthy lifestyle" looks different for everyone). At the end of the day, we are ALL busy in different ways. It's about prioritizing what's important to you.

Sure it's more challenging with kids. But it's not impossible. It takes some creativity for sure! I figure if it's important enough to me, I'll make it happen.

Waking up early to have "me time" and workout works best for me. But important to be asleep by 9:30 to get enough sleep.

Taking the task all on at once is overwhelming. I had small kids, taught and was a fitness instructor as well as doing my admin qualifications so I know it can be done. What might be helpful is choosing one habit you want to commit to and then go from there. I wasn’t able to workout after school. I was too tired and that was family time so I committed to before school. It was rough in the beginning but here I am almost 2 decades later and it’s just what I do. Breaking down what it is you don’t have time for will help narrow down and pinpoint the one habit you can start with :)

I been using chronometer to track weight and food nutrition.

Hi Hayley! Aww, I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed it and found it motivating but also simple! 🥰 That is GREAT news! I have a vlog coming where I take you through a day of eating and how I track my food in the app I use (MM+) so hopefully that will help! 🖤

Hi Kate! I am SO happy to hear that you enjoyed it! I have a video coming where I will show how I track what I eat and how I use the app so hopefully that will help! 🥰 Thank you for watching and commenting and I wish you the best of luck in your upcoming journey! 🎉🖤

@@PocketfulofPrimary cannot wait!! 😆

Aww, thank you so much as always Mandy! 🥰🖤 I'm happy you enjoyed it and I hope you have a productive week as well! I'm always rooting for you right back, lady! 🎉

Aww, thank you so much Hanna! I appreciate you watching and commenting!

Thank you so much for the feedback and I appreciate you watching and commenting Jean! 🥰

Thank you for watching and commenting Brandi! 🖤 I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed it and don't worry... more teaching ideas are coming (as always) 🥰

I'm happy you appreciated it and thank you for watching and commenting! 🥰

Aww, thank you so much as always and I'm so happy you enjoyed the first video in the series! 🥰 I have a video coming where I show exactly how I track everything and use the app so don't worry... it'll have all the info you need. As for the exercise side of things, I'm so sorry to hear that you got injured and I wish you a speedy recovery! As for finding an activity you enjoy, try to plan one new thing to try a month (rock climbing, yoga, horseback riding, etc. as just a few ideas) so you can expose yourself to new things. In the meantime, I know it can be hard to get in walks when the weather doesn't cooperate but you could always walk around a large indoor space like a mall if you have one nearby (you can also people watch at the same time which is super fun). You could also consider getting a foldable treadmill and walk at home (they make ones that fit under a couch or in other small areas). It's an investment but then you could watch TV or work at a standing desk while you get in steps. I'm so happy you enjoyed the podcast and hopefully you'll enjoy the other videos coming this month too! 🥰

Aww, thank you so much Lisa! Also, I LOVE hearing that you love Macros, Inc. too! It's been one of the best resources I have found. Thanks for watching and commenting!

This is FANTASTIC Nancy! Thank you so much for sharing! 🥰 This is the perfect example of how a small change can lead to big results over time when implemented consistently! Thank you for watching and commenting! 🖤

You're very welcome and thank YOU for watching and commenting! 🥰

Aww, yay! I'm so happy you enjoyed it Victoria! 🥰 Thank you so much for watching and commenting!

Hi Russell! Thank you for watching and commenting as always! 🖤 I'm so sorry to hear that you're experiencing a lot of stress at work... hopefully it improves or you're able to make a change in order to make it better. I know how hard that can be, and the negative effect it can have on your nutrition. As long as you know how to get back on track, it's okay to have "off seasons"!

Aww, yay! I love hearing that Chondra! I'll definitely be sharing more in the videos I have coming!

That is great to hear Tanya! 🥰 Thank you for watching and commenting! 🖤

Thank YOU for watching and commenting Arnette! 🖤

Thank you so much for watching and commenting! 🥰

Thank you so much Kristin! 🥰 I'll be sure to include that in the Q&A video coming later this month!

Thank you so much for watching! 🥰 I'll show how I track all my food using an app in a video later this month 👍🏻

Hi Valerie! Great questions. Narrowing down what you want to make a habit helps and then choosing one small area to begin is the best place to start. Consistency is what you want to build which doesn’t have to start as much. If you’re sore after a workout then you are likely doing too much. Basically it’s your body that is saying you’re doing too much to progressively overload. No pain, no gain really is the worst saying.

Hi Valerie! First of all, thank you for watching and commenting! 🖤 I'm so happy you enjoyed it! As for habit building, I HIGHLY suggest the book Atomic Habits. It's a fantastic resource (Bridget and I also have a book review podcast episode all about it... episode 106 on Teaching to the TOP). As for being sore, it depends on HOW sore you are. A little soreness is normal when you're new to working out or have incorporated new exercises in your routine. You can definitely still workout even when you're a little sore... just make sure you drink lots of water and foam roll the area to help ease the soreness. But, if you're SUPER sore, then it is probably best to take a rest day or two to allow your body to recuperate. Hopefully that helps! 🖤

That's great to hear! Thank you so much for watching and commenting! 🥰

Thank you for watching and commenting Judith! 🖤 That's a great question! I recently got the book "Barbell Prescription" for my parents for Christmas... it's all about strength training for individuals over the age of 40. They have been LOVING the book and learning a lot about the right way to go about it. As for the gym, do NOT feel intimidated by the young people! As a younger person at the gym, I always find it incredibly motivating to see older people working out in the same space and staying healthy. You're entitled to the space just as much as anyone else in the gym! 🥰🖤

Thank you so much Brianna! I appreciate you watching and commenting! 🥰

Thank you so much for watching and commenting Lauren! 🥰

Aww, thank you so much Jill! I really appreciate that and CONGRATULATIONS on your races! That's amazing! I definitely dealt with that too. One of the best tips I have is to go to a running shoe store where you can be properly fitted for shoes and possibly orthotics. It's hard to give recommendations because everyone's feet and running mechanics are different so different shoes will work for different people but personally, I've been using the Brooks Ghost running shoes since I was in high school (not the same pair obviously, LOL) and LOVE them! Best of luck to you!

Ooo, do you mean the one I showed? It's called Your Own Backyard... it's very good! I'll be sure to include some ideas for ways to get protein without meat or dairy products. Thanks for watching! 🥰

Even then, the packages aren't completely accurate because they're allowed to be off by up to 20% 😬 Plus, a lot will have a serving size of "1/4 cup" which is supposed to be 28 grams but if you actually measuring out 1/4 cup, it might weigh a lot more. This is where a food scale is super important! The first time you measure out a serving of peanut butter in grams instead of eyeballing 2 tbs, you'll be so sad 😂😂😂

Thank you so much for watching and commenting Cynthia! 🥰

Honestly, I just foam roll where I feel sore or tight! But, there are great tutorial videos here on KZfaq that others have done if you need further guidance!

Since I'm not diabetic, I wouldn't be the best resource for this but hopefully you can find someone else who is! 🖤

IsoPure is MY go-to. In a rush, I’ll grab atkins ready-made shakes.

I know you didn’t ask ME…just thought I’d offer 🥰

Hi Coleen! I've used a lot of protein powders over the years and honestly have a lot that I love! Some of my favorite brands are PEScience, Bowmar Nutrition, Alani Nu, and Dymatize ISO100.

Thank you for watching and commenting as always Anna! 🖤 Don't worry... that video is coming your way in two weeks! 😍

Yup... still not a morning person! LOL! I'm an evening gym-goer... I typically go to the gym in the evening before dinner (but we eat dinner late around 8:00 pm) 🥰

😂😂😂

Aww, thank you so much! That's very sweet of you and I appreciate you watching and commenting! 🥰