By Shayna Mace | Photography by Nicole Smith/Honest Mom Photography
Akaylah Jaeke has always loved exercise. With a master’s degree in health and human performance and as a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, health coach and medical exercise specialist, her life’s work is about being healthy and helping others achieve fitness goals. Jaeke owns a wellbeing space, a gym and fitness hub for other health-minded businesses. She’s also the program director for the Fitness, Recreation and Wellness Program at Madison College.
As a business owner with two daughters (ages eight and five), Jaeke acknowledges the struggle is real when it comes to finding time to work out.
“A wellbeing space is a hub for community and living well, and we have five small businesses. I [also run] groups out of a wellbeing space … one of those groups is for parents. I’m really passionate about trying to help parents find time for themselves, build out a schedule and help them get creative [with fitness] while also giving themselves some grace. I believe that if we’re going to [create] a healthier generation … that we need to focus on parents taking care of themselves first, so we can also take care of those that we raise.”
Here, she shares some tips on how to fit fitness in.
Figure Out What Motivates You
“I like to ask all of my clients what motivates them, and how they are motivated. What are some things that they’ve done in the past that they’ve enjoyed? [Maybe] they used to love riding bikes or playing sand volleyball. Finding things that they enjoy helps [my] clients take that first step instead of being scared to jump into the weight room right away.”
Finding a comfortable workout spot is also key. Maybe that’s at home, or perhaps you’re more motivated with others in a fitness class. Building in progress goals, especially when starting a fitness program, also helps.
“Reaching small goals and celebrating small wins [helps to] keep going. [We say], ‘OK, let’s take just one small step now, accomplish what we can and expand that growth a little bit more.’”
Build a (Sort of) Schedule
Jaeke says to consider your weekly routine, looking for spots of free time you can slot in a workout. For some, it works best for them to exercise at the same time every day — but for many, especially for families with ever- changing weekly schedules — that may not be the case.
“I try to schedule my workouts when I know that I can get the biggest bang for my buck. As I’m driving home from work, I might be thinking about the workout I’ll do at home. Or [sometimes it’s] before I go in to teach. I might schedule my workout at home before my kiddos are out the door for the day — but it looks different each day for me due to my schedule.”
She recommends having a contingency plan for the days your schedule goes awry, so you can still sneak some exercise in. If you have a sick child at home or a meeting runs over and you can’t make your 5 p.m. cardio class, keep some small equipment at home to do a workout there instead.
Think Outside the Exercise Box
Jaeke says finding a good fitness app and workout programs to do at home helps to fit the fitness puzzle together so you don’t have to go to the gym every day. Because working out doesn’t always have to be at the gym.
“One day a week it’s going on a hike with your kiddos and getting some extra steps in that day. Maybe it’s swimming or playing a sport with them. [Don’t] get stuck in this idea that if you can’t get to the gym and lift weights five days a week that you’re failing. Getting creative in the modes of exercise that you’re doing while also trying to follow the recommended guidelines is a way you can still reach your goals,” says Jaeke.
Include Your Family
To reinforce the point above, doing physical activity with your family can sometimes be the solution.
“I know being a parent and trying to exercise — there is that sense of guilt. If you feel that guilt creeping in, try to schedule out exercise time with your family. Not only are you spending time with them, but you’re also demonstrating to your kids what it means to take care of yourself and how they can learn to take care of themselves.”
