A former paediatric nurse from Birmingham has channelled her own struggles as a busy mother into creating a novel fitness solution for parents across the UK.
Mari-Carmen Sanchez-Morris, a mother of three young children aged seven, five, and ten months, and a business owner from Leamington Spa, found it impossible to prioritise her health after having kids. Her response was to develop the FIT MAMA app, designed to act as a personal coach for pre and postnatal women.
More Than Just a Workout: A Holistic Health Approach
The app moves beyond simple exercise routines, offering a comprehensive support system. It provides tailored workouts, nutritional guidance, and advice on sleep and mental health. A key feature includes guided meditations to help mothers find moments to reset and boost their mindfulness.
Speaking on the Brummie Mummies Podcast, Mari-Carmen, a qualified personal trainer and health coach, explained the flawed mindset many parents adopt. "What I often hear is mums saying 'I've got to do something really hard and I've got to do it fast'," she said. "They're setting themselves up for failure because their standards are far too high."
Shifting the Mindset for Lasting Change
She advocates for a gentler, more holistic approach. "The approach needs to be more holistic, thinking about other ways we can become fit and healthy, not just hammering yourself in the gym," Mari-Carmen advised. She emphasises that fitness should be about feeling energised and patient, not just losing weight for a holiday.
Her strategy is built on the compound effect of small, consistent actions. "If you do something small each day, it's going to compound into something bigger," she said. For instance, she suggests adding an extra 1,000 steps to your daily routine if you already walk 5,000-6,000.
Practical Tips for Busy Parents
Mari-Carmen insists that lack of time should not be an excuse, encouraging creativity to involve children. Her top tips for integrating fitness into family life include:
- Ask for help: Swap childcare with other local mums to free up time for a walk or workout.
- Schedule it: Treat your workout like an important meeting in your diary.
- Start small: Focus on bitesize activities like a short walk or cooking a healthy meal with the kids.
- Show self-compassion: Be realistic about what you can achieve post-children and be patient with yourself.
- Involve the family: Try Junior Park Runs, home workouts via TV, or parent-and-baby fitness classes.
"It's not selfish to make time for ourselves," she asserts. "If you prioritise your needs first, I guarantee you you'll show up and be a better parent to your children."
Ultimately, for this Birmingham-based innovator, the goal is clear: exercise provides mental clarity and the energy to be the best mother she can be. The FIT MAMA app is her tool to help others achieve the same.
