By Maria Bailey and Jennifer Arnold

As moms, it seems to be our very nature to make sure that everyone else's needs are met before our own. But in order to successfully care for our families, we really need to care for ourselves.  Effective parenting requires stamina, flexibility and energy -- all of the physical and mental benefits built from exercising.  If we "run out of steam" half way through the day, we have nothing left to give to those we love the most.  We need to realize that putting our physical and mental health first will help us to be the best moms we can be!

From one busy mom to another, here are some ways to get yourself on the fast track to fitness:

Rise and Shine 
For many moms, morning workouts seem to work best.  Not only does it jump start the day, giving us more energy and a sense of accomplishment, but exercising in the morning ensures that our workout will not get lost in the general hustle and bustle of our days.  Try getting up an hour before everyone else -- it may be hard for the first few days, but your body will actually adjust and soon you'll find yourself enjoying that early alone time. It sounds strange, but even with less sleep, you'll have more energy!

Be Flexible 
One of the unique characteristics of being a mom is the ability to adapt to any situation we face.  As much as we try to plan the details of our day, they can change in an instant: children get sick, a friend needs our help, or we need to stay later at work to finish an urgent project.  Be sure to remain flexible and be creative when schedule changes do occur. For example: your carpool pal canceled and now you have to take your son (and teammates) to soccer practice. Pack some water and your dumbbells and find an area near the field to do some strength training or use this time to run the bleachers. If you have other children, bring the jogger stroller and walk the parking lot.

Build a Support Network
All of us will have a day or two when we just don't feel "up" for a workout.  These days are normal and while we can push through them on our own, having a friend to encourage us can be much more effective.  When you are deciding to join a gym or start a workout program, mention your plans to friends and try to enlist some others to join you.  Knowing that someone is waiting for you at the gym to take a class is very motivating.  As busy moms, we often don't have as much time to dedicate to friendships as we would like.  This workout time can also be great for catching up with friends, building a new friendship or just venting about a particular "mom moment" we've had! 

Many gyms offer childcare, which is a great solution for busy Moms. Is your spouse intent on getting in shape also? Both of you can make exercise a priority- just be sure to allow each other the kid-free time to get in a successful workout session. 

Keep it simple and satisfying
The simpler your exercise routine is, the more likely you will be to stick with it for the long haul.  Choosing activities that are too complicated, expensive, or time-consuming can sabotage your good intentions and provide too many loopholes in your routine. You should also make an effort to choose activities that you enjoy and that match your personality.  Perhaps you played soccer in high school; look for a local women's league to join. If you're craving alone time, the solitude of running might be just what you need. Sit down and ask yourself what you really like to do, then listen to yourself -- you'll be more likely to stick with it!

Include your kids  
New moms are often the ones most in need of a fitness regimen. Luckily, they have the perfect workout partner! Most babies love to go for walks in the stroller, and moms will reap the double benefits of being outside and exercise.  There are also lots of toning exercises like squats and abdominal moves that you can do while interacting with your little one as well as numerous "mommy and me" workout DVDs. To keep this kind of routine fresh and fun, try subscribing to a service like Netflix so that you can try out new and different workouts.

Stroller Strides, total fitness routines designed for moms and their babies, are great workouts for any level of exerciser. Lisa Druxman, founder of Stroller Strides and author of Lean Mommy, has great words of advice for any mom attempting to get in shape. 

"You can involve your children in your exercise program at any age," said Lisa. "For babies, consider a stroller workout or exercise with them in a front pack carrier. As children get older, play fun games with them like "Red Light, Green Light" or run along while they ride their bike or scooter. Make family time active time and you will all benefit." 

Get Personal! 
Many moms find that the guidance, customization and one-on-one attention from a personal trainer can be very beneficial.  Hiring a trainer can be particularly helpful if you are just getting started with an exercise routine as they can assess your current health and take into account your lifestyle and limitations, such as time or travel, when creating a workout program for you.  They can also provide key benchmarks for you such as your anaerobic threshold, (which tracks your heart rate during exercise) and body fat so that you can watch your progress!  If you're not ready to foot the entire expense of a personal trainer, consider one session to start you off on the right foot, or splitting the cost with a friend.  In addition, you can also find personal trainers online at podfitness.com where you can listen to a trainer on your time and get motivation right in your ear! 

For more ideas on fitness for you and your child, browse the online videos and content on Newbaby.com, www.newbaby.com. With over 100 three minute videos on health and fitness seeing it may make it more believable to you!