Kids are back in school. Fall is almost here. With the change in schedules and seasons, it's a great time for busy moms to take a fresh look at what they're doing to get and stay in shape. For some moms, the change in seasons means trading pool time for personal training; other moms say it's the perfect time to get in shape before the school year gets really hectic. And for all of us, the start of the school year means holiday parties and fattening foods are just around the corner. If looking good in that holiday dress isn't a reason to get in shape, nothing is!

Karen Linamen is a busy single mom. For this mother of two, the transition from summer fun to fall fitness usually means making a shift from spontaneous outdoor activities to something a little more structured, like scheduled workouts or classes. She says, "Summer fitness tends to center around the outdoorsy stuff my kids love, like hiking and swimming. When my kids go back to school, it's my time to do something I love." This fall, she is working out a fitness coach and personal trainer, Joe Ramirez. Linamen says the hours her kids are at school give her the opportunity to be more intentional about meeting her fitness goals.

For other moms, the return of their kids to the classroom means a lull before the storm. Renee Berge, mother of three active boys, describes the first couple months of the school year as a fleeting window of opportunity. "Between sleepovers, play dates, camps and vacations, my summer scheduling can be really chaotic. And in a few months I'll be spending half my waking hours driving to and from baseball games. These months in between summer vacation and regional league are a great time to make my own fitness a priority."

"For lots of reasons, when kids go back to school, many moms refocus on fitness," says Ramirez, who offers in-home personal training as well as fitness boot camps. Providing innovative total-body workouts in a small group setting, his women-only boot camps meet three times a week in locations throughout Colorado Springs.

Linamen says, "I've signed up for in-home training with Joe. I've also attended several boot camp sessions. It's amazing what kind of creative workout he can deliver in 30-45 minutes. Plus, working out with other women who are committed to their health is really energizing. Attending Joe's boot camp, I'm part of a fun, supportive group of women who are getting healthy and having a blast doing it!"

Ramirez has these suggestions for back-to-school fitness for busy moms:

* When kids go back to school, it can mean taking a new look at schedules and responsibilities for an entire family. As you reorganize everything from bedtimes to carpool schedules to household chores, now may be a good time to earmark time for your own fitness needs. As the school year gets underway and habits get established, making changes to accommodate a workout program for yourself may be more difficult to do.

*Take advantage of cooler days to go for a walk. This time of year sometimes means a break from the daunting heat of summer, so take advantage of the invigorating change.

*Buy a pedometer and start keeping tract of the number of steps you walk every day. Strive to take as many steps as you did the day before plus five percent.

*Get Moving! Instead of sitting in your car while your child is taking her piano lesson, or sitting in the bleachers while he's playing softball, get moving. Keep comfortable shoes in your car so you're ready to take advantage of minutes that could be spent walking.

*Consider signing up for an organized workout with other moms, such as a class, outdoor fitness program or stroller walking club. The friendships and accountability can motivate you even when your own resolve feels weak.

The start of any school year brings with it lots of newness for kids: new school clothes, new schedules, new friends. It can also herald a fresh start and a new lease on health for their busy moms.

For fitness articles, healthy recipes, free weekend fitness events and women's support groups visit Joe's fitness blog at joesbootcamp.ning.com.
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Joe Ramirez is a Certified Personal Trainer, Fitness Coach and Certified Weight Management Consultant in Colorado Springs, offering in-home personal training as well as fitness boot camps. To find out more about in-home personal training or Joe's fitness boot camps, go to www.joesbootcamp.com or call Joe direct at 719-229-2639.