Twice a year, we get motivated to start fresh. January inspires promises to get diets in order, lose weight, get in shape and make other self improvements. But by summer, many of us have lost track of those goals and are back at square one. Then the start of a new school year rolls around. The itch for positive change resurfaces–especially for those of us with kids.
Back to school means back to routines and schedules, new books, new supplies, maybe even a new wardrobe. It’s the perfect time to begin again or to pick up the pace with a lagging exercise routine.
Here are a few simple things you can do to give your fitness and diet routine a back-to-school makeover:
Pencil in fitness. As new obligations fill your calendar, add exercise to the list. It’s easy to let workouts slide when day-to-day activities take over. So schedule your visits to the gym or workout time at home, just as you would any other event. If possible, work out or take a class at the gym immediately after dropping off the kids. Tending to exercise early in the day lessens the chances you’ll be tempted to skip when things get busy. If work is keeping you from working out, wake up earlier to squeeze in exercise before heading to the office.
Get back to the gym. Did you sign up for a gym membership earlier in the year then stop going? Don’t be ashamed to walk back in and pick up where you left off. Start slowly at first, doing a 30-minute circuit workout three days a week. This will work your entire body but not leave you so sore that you avoid going back.
Blast fat from every angle. If you’re trying to lose weight, a consistent exercise routine and healthy diet is key. But you might also consider trying a supplement program such as FitMiss Women’s 6-Stage Fat Burning System to support healthy energy and metabolism.
Scout out new supplements. Hopefully you’re already taking a multivitamin every day to fill in gaps in your diet. I like New Chapter Every Woman’s One Daily Multi, which is a whole-food, organic multivitamin for active women. Other supplements, such as a high-quality probiotic or an omega-3 formula, can provide additional overall health support to keep your body in best shape. With the kids back in school and germs running rampant, it’s also a good idea to up your vitamin C intake.
Spruce up your diet. Give your diet an instant healthy makeover with nutrient-packed superfoods such as bee pollen granules, chia seeds, hemp seeds or flaxseed. Sprinkled on smoothies, yogurt, salad, soup or just about anything, these natural additions offer extra vitamins, minerals and other nutrients you need to function at your best.