The Carer’s Dilemma: Prioritising Health and Exercise for the Sake of Our Children

In the whirlwind of parenthood, the challenges are plenty, and more often than not, your own health takes a backseat to the constant demands of children. The team at Longevity Exercise Physiology understands the unique predicament that parents face when it comes to prioritising their health. In this blog, we delve into the carer’s dilemma, exploring the consequences that surround neglecting personal health and how Longevity Exercise Physiology can help you, accommodating to busy schedules without compromising family time.

The fear of neglecting one’s health is not unfounded. Parents would know that they are often putting the needs of their children above their own, inadvertently jeopardising their own well-being. Longevity Exercise Physiology addresses this fear head-on by posing a crucial question: 

Can you afford not to make your health a priority?

Neglecting our health may seem like a small compromise in the short term, but the long-term consequences can be profound.  As the saying goes, ‘you cannot serve from an empty cup.’ By not prioritising your health now, this can manifest down the track in the form of chronic disease, chronic injuries, fatigue, heightened stress levels and an overall diminished ability to cope with the day-to-day challenges. Not only that, studies show that after the age of 30 adults start to lose muscle mass at a rate of 3-8% each decade of life and aerobic fitness by 1% every year, leading to serious reductions in function and quality of life. By prioritising exercise now, you can beat these statistics. Investing in not only your own well-being, but also in your family’s future.

Why Do We Feel Like This Is Taking Away from Our Kids?

One of the key barriers parents face is the guilt associated with taking time for themselves. Longevity recognises the importance of addressing this guilt and emphasises that prioritising health is not a selfish act. In fact, it is an investment in becoming the best version of yourself for your children.

By reframing exercise as an essential component of life, Longevity encourages parents to view it as a means of enhancing their ability to be actively involved in their children’s lives. By prioritising your own health,  you can keep kicking the footy at the park with your kids, chase after them in the park or pick up your grandchildren when the time comes. 

Longevity’s Solution: Accommodating Your Schedule

Longevity Exercise Physiology understands that finding time for exercise can be challenging amidst parental responsibilities. This is where Longevity steps in with our lifetime booking system. This system ensures that you can consistently schedule exercise sessions at the same time each week, allowing for stability in your routine.

To address the concern of taking time away from your children, Longevity encourages booking sessions during school hours. This strategic timing ensures that your commitment to health does not impede on precious family moments.

We asked two mums who train consistently every week with our Exercise Physiologist Ellen, how they overcame this carer’s dilemma, and now ensure they get their exercise in each week. One mum noted

“I treat it as a doctor’s appointment to ensure it is a priority.”

Another mum said “Everything you do is better if you exercise regularly, and the whole family is better when you look after yourself. I am not spending as much on rehab anyway because I don’t injure myself.”

The carer’s dilemma is a real and pressing concern for parents, but it doesn’t have to be an insurmountable obstacle. Longevity Exercise Physiology is ready to join you in making a commitment to your health that benefits both you and your children. By overcoming fears, addressing guilt, and providing a flexible scheduling system, Longevity empowers parents to make their health a priority, ensuring a healthier, happier, and more present future for all.

For all parents who join Longevity in February 2024 we would like to offer you 50% off your initial consult.

Call Longevity Exercise Physiology Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Marrickville, Castle Hill, Randwick, Pymble, Kingsgrove, Neutral Bay, Rhodes, Five Dock, Casey, Gungahlin and Coburg on 1300 964 002 to start your exercise journey today!

Written by Grace Ryan

References:

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Milanović Z, Pantelić S, Trajković N, Sporiš G, Kostić R, James N. Age-related decrease in physical activity and functional fitness among elderly men and women. Clin Interv Aging. 2013;8:549-56. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S44112. Epub 2013 May 21. Erratum in: Clin Interv Aging. clin interv aging. 2014;9:979. PMID: 23723694; PMCID: PMC3665513.