Take Time For Yourself Starting TODAY!

This post is sponsored by 24 Hour Fitness. Although this is a sponsored opportunity. All thoughts and content are my own. We only share things we love! Thanks 24 Hour Fitness!

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Just a few weeks ago, I was in tears talking with my husband about how I felt that I had no time to do anything for myself any more. I get that being a mom of any amount of children, requires you sacrificing a lot of things; but there still HAD to be a part of me in there somewhere? Right? Anywhere?

Don’t get me wrong. Being a mother is, of course, my greatest joy in life; however, after having 5 kids in 7 years, I noticed a change in myself.  Not only was I emotionally tired, my body was just that. Tired.
In a former life, I craved exercise. Any chance to get my body (and subsequently, my mind!) active I jumped at! Now, the only thing I’m finding myself jumping at….is my bed…..at 9 PM.

I wanted this to change. 

I knew it would make me a happier person; and as a result, a better mom.

I quickly realized that I needed to get back into a pattern of exercise. Not just for my health, but for my sanity. Plus, I wanted my kids to see me living a healthier lifestyle.  In the words of Elle Woods, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy!”

The best form of teaching is example.

Working out at home only provided more frustration and delayed goal setting. Have you ever tried working out while a sink full of dirty dishes is staring at you? Or the hundreds of crushed goldfish your 2 year old smashed into the carpet after lunch are being tracked through the house by 2 little feet?
NOT GONNA HAPPEN SISTER!

I was super excited to be introduced to 24 Hour Fitness as the catalyst to my new goal to take more time for me. On my first trip to the gym, I took along my fitness guru brother. One look at him, and you know he knows what he’s doing at the gym.

If only those muscles were genetic.
They aren’t.
They’re the result of hard work.

Not gonna lie, I was nervous to enter those doors. I literally considered wearing my Spanx to the gym. WHO DOES THAT? My brother encouraged me, and I decided to leave my insecurities at the door. We were greeted by a manager upon arrival who welcomed us and offered to show us around.

The first place we went? Naturally, the AWESOME Kids’ Club room.
(Does this mean I ooze the “I have 5 kids” aura??)

Honestly, good child care is probably my number 1 concern when it comes to getting to the gym. I need to know my kids are safe. I need to know they’re enjoying the experience, too. Also, it has to be clean. No one wants a nasty gym day care. If they are happy, I can relax and put 100% into my workout.
I was SO impressed by 24 Hour Fitness’ child care facilities at the club I went to (facilities vary by location). It was a HUGE area, with REALLY fun equipment! My kids literally thought THEY were the ones getting the fun day! (Little did they know, I was the one treating myself!) The employees in the room were friendly and welcoming to my babies. I was grateful for that! I totally felt comfortable with the cleanliness of the room and the safety of my children. My kids did not even notice when I slipped out for some “me” time.

I was then shown the cardio equipment. I was delighted to see there were actually OPEN treadmills and elliptical machines. There is nothing worse than going to the gym, only to find yourself waiting for an hour JUST TO GET ON a machine! Anyone else hate that?

The machines were all top of the line, and again, clean!

Look how many there were!!!

I feel like a lot of women (myself included) would list LACK OF TIME being the number one thing keeping them from exercising. Guess what? 24 Hour means you can go ANY time (and with 400+ clubs pretty much ANYwhere, too)….so, now that we solved that for you….

I also loved the many TV’s that were accessible from every machine.
Exercise while watching “The Bachelorette”? Don’t mind if I do…..

Another great area of 24 Hour Fitness that really impressed me was their group fitness area where they hold all their group classes. This is my jam. I LOVE group fitness classes because I feel like everyone is suffering…err…growing with me!

The manager told me about the newest popular class “POP Pilates”. I can’t wait to try it. Oh, and a spin class. I hear they are brutally wonderful! They offer a ton of awesome classes where you will get fit, AND make friends!
Be sure to check out the whole schedule here.

My 24 Hour Fitness club also has a swimming pool. This is great for those of us looking for a lower impact sport. Injured? Hurting joints? The pool is your friend. Some clubs even offer swim lessons!

Another awesome offering of 24 Hour Fitness is hands on personal training. I was so impressed with the credentials of these trainers. These are not guys/gals they found on the street. These are highly qualified, professional fitness trainers – some of which have advanced degrees in related fields. I loved knowing that I had someone on my side to help me reclaim ME. These trainers will become your best friends and you work TOGETHER to achieve whatever it is you hope to achieve. Plus, they are super fun and tell you you’re doing great (even when you can hardly do a deep squat….) encouragement like that makes it possible! Even better, 24 Hour Fitness offers a complimentary 60 minute health and fitness consultation with their trainers for new members.

We are so thrilled to share with you an opportunity for “you time” too!

A membership to 24 Hour Fitness can fit into most budgets! They have some great special offers happening right now, so choose the location and offer that is best for you (note that offers can not be combined):

$0 initiation fee
Monthly dues as low as $29.99 (based on membership type and club location)
Add a friend to your membership for as low as $29.99 (restrictions apply)

And the best?
They’re offering you a FREE PASS to try 24 Hour Fitness out FREE!

(And who doesn’t love that!?)

You can visit any club you like, and even try the group classes when you use your free pass!

Just go HERE.

I left the gym a little sweaty and a lot happy. My brother told me on the way home, “You need to treat yourself MORE!” I know he’s so right. We all do! And when you work out at 24 Hour Fitness, it really DOES feel like a treat! It makes you look FORWARD to working out each day and setting and achieving all those goals you’ve been wanting to achieve, but putting off for whatever reason. Make the time for yourself TODAY. You deserve it, lady!