HOW MOMS CAN RUN THEIR DAY, THEIR WAY

SEVEN GUILT-FREE WAYS TO CHASE THE HIGH

Read time: Less than four minutes

Every mom’s day looks different, but the demands—endless to-do lists, responsibilities, and daily pressures—are universal. Finding time for personal well-being, let alone exercise, can often feel like an impossible task. In fact, 61% of moms report feeling guilty about taking time for fitness. But movement is anything but selfish. It’s energizing. It’s about shaking off stress, finding your rhythm, feeling more yourself, and fueling the rest of your day. The key is making fitness work for you, not against you Here are our tips for bringing more movement into your day, on your terms, including a piece of advice from Meg Jacoby.

RETHINK THE SCHOOL RUN… LITERALLY

If your schedule allows, consider turning school drop-off into an opportunity for exercise. Walking or running to school is an easy way to fit in movement while already tackling a daily task. If running immediately after drop-off doesn’t work for you, try flipping your routine. Use school pick-up as a warm-up, then transition straight into a workout. The key is to build movement into the habits you already have. Not to add another item to your to-do list.

PUSH ON WITH STROLLER RUNS

For moms with young children, running with a stroller can be a game-changer. It’s a built-in resistance workout and, if you’re lucky, an instant naptime hack. Start with easy jogs and let the rhythm lull your child to sleep while you chase that runner’s high.

MAKE IT A TEAM SPORT

Making running feel guilt-free is easier when you have a supportive team. Leaning on community, whether it’s running friends, family, or other parents, can make fitting in runs more achievable. Find a local mom’s running group, or start one with fellow school parents, or colleagues, or even turn playground time into interval training while the kids burn off their own energy.

SCHEDULE YOUR RUNS

Appointments, meetings, and family obligations are scheduled into your calendar. Why not treat your workouts the same way? Block time in your calendar and treat it as non-negotiable. Running isn’t just another thing on the list, it’s the fuel that helps you get into the right mindset to handle everything on your calendar. Hard at work during office hours? Fit a quick run around your lunch break. Can’t fit it in during the day? Swap a nightly reading session with an audiobook-fueled run.

EMBRACE THE QUICK-FIX RUN

Not every run has to be a 5K. Consistency is more important than duration. Some days, a 15-minute sprint around the block might be all you need to reset. The surge of energy you get from simply moving can be enough to shift your mood, boost your focus, and give you a bit of extra power. Because running isn’t just about the distance. It’s about the feeling.

GET THE WHOLE FAMILY INVOLVED

Some days, running solo is the dream. Other days, life gets in the way. “My advice would be: instead of skipping your run because you feel guilty about spending time by yourself, make it a family affair. Plan weekend park runs, challenge your kids to a sprint race, or play a game where they try to catch you. Not only do you get your movement in, but you’re also showing them what it means to love running. My daughter loves living her active lifestyle, and I love being her role model.” - Meg Jacoby.

REMEMBER: EVERY STEP COUNTS

It’s not about perfecting your training plans or breaking records. It’s about movement, on your terms, in the time you have. Whether it’s a sprint between errands, a jog after school drop-off, or a weekend run with the kids, every step is a step toward feeling stronger, more energized, and more you. Feel the rush. Run for the high. Because this isn’t just about staying active, it’s about taking control of your day, your energy, and the way you show up for yourself. No two moms will have the exact same routine, so try and use these tips when and where they fit into your routine. After all, finding a perfect balance can be a lifelong challenge. But if anyone can do it, it’s you.

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