As Elle Woods once said, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands.” {Legally Blonde}

Once you hit 40, it feels like your body suddenly starts falling apart – hot flashes, random aches and pains, fatigue, etc. The last thing you want to do is lace up your sneakers and hit the gym. But here’s the twist: working out might be the very thing that helps with all of those annoying symptoms (and more). Now, hear me out, I’m not saying you need to be at the gym at 4 a.m. for hours on end or become a bodybuilder. We’re busy, working moms, so the key is to keep it simple. That’s always been my motto—and it’s about time we all embraced it! Here are 2 tips for keeping working out simple so you can stay active and keep up with this chaotic life we lead:

Make Workouts Easy

Now like I said – keep it simple.

As a mom with a packed schedule, going to the gym often felt like one more thing on my to-do list—just another thing to squeeze in. That’s actually why I stopped going to the gym altogether.

Instead, I set a simple goal: work out for 15-20 minutes at least 4-5 days a week. I decided to bring the workout to me, so I invested in equipment that didn’t take up much space at home. And no, I didn’t build a full-on gym in my house—I don’t have the space or budget for that! I went on Amazon and picked up some simple items like resistance bands, weighted straps for my wrists and ankles, and a mini-stair stepper. All of this, plus my yoga mat, fits neatly in our storage ottoman.

Making my “gym” more accessible has made it so much easier to stick to my goal. Sometimes, I even work out in my pjs! It’s as simple as turning on a show and starting my workout in the living room. Before I know it, I’ve hit my 15-20 minutes. I also try to walk the dog regularly, and when the weather is nice, I ride my bike.

Working out doesn’t have to be a huge chore or a big trip to the gym. I just stop what I’m doing, get on the floor, and get it done. Simple, effective, and it fits right into my day!

Click on the pics above, or check out My Favorite Things to see the workout gear I love using at home!

Make Working out FUN

As I mentioned earlier, one of my favorite ways to get exercise is by riding my bike. A few months ago, Logan learned to ride without training wheels, and I was so excited! Now we have a fun and active activity we can enjoy as a family. On nice days, we love to ride our bikes together. It’s a great way to get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and stay active. We also have a basketball goal in our driveway. Both of my boys play basketball, so anytime the weather is decent I like to get out there and shoot hoops with them to help them practice. When the weather is cold, rainy, or just plain yucky, I turn to something a little cozier: a kid-friendly workout video on YouTube. Logan loves to workout with me, and it’s always a blast! Not only is it fun, but it’s quality time spent together while moving our bodies. Whether we’re biking, playing a sport, or working out inside, we’re getting that active family time in—and it feels great!