Getting Back in Shape for Back to School

Getting Back in Shape for Back to School

It’s back to school time which, for many people, means the end of summer. In a lot of cases, the end of summer also means a return to responsibilities and that often means getting back into a healthier lifestyle. Over the summer, it’s easy to spend a little too much time relaxing in the backyard instead of exercising and it’s common to eat a little too much barbecue too.

But now that summer is coming to an end, this is a good time to get back into a healthier state of mind.

We know that it can be tough to find time to stay healthy during this busy period of time, but we also know that it’s a great time to recommit to health. This time of year is all about getting back into routines and schedules and that’s perfect for improving your health. Here are a few tips for getting back in shape this September.

Make a Schedule

At back to school time, you likely have to get used to a whole new schedule, especially if you have children. You’ll need to make sure that you get your kids up on time, that you get them to school on time, pick them up on time, take them to soccer practice, make sure they don’t miss choir, etc. If you’re going to find any time for yourself and your own exercise programs, you’ll need to schedule it in.

Because this time of year is very busy, you might want to start scheduling shorter workouts. You may not have time to book a one hour trip to the gym, but you could find that a 20 minute in-home workout is possible.

Find Exercise Wherever Possible

As mentioned, you might not have the time to fight traffic and get to the gym. However, you can find other ways to exercise. Walk with your kids to school instead of driving, take the stairs at work instead of the elevator, go for a walk at lunch instead of sitting in the lunch room. All of these little activities add up and they can really make a difference.

Eat Real Meals

When you’re busy, it’s tempting to skip eating real meals and snack instead. However, this often isn’t the healthiest choice, especially if you’re eating from vending machines and fast food restaurants. While it takes time to prepare real meals for yourself, the time spent is definitely worth it.

Much like planning helps you find time to exercise, planning also helps you find time to cook.

Before you go grocery shopping, make a plan for what you’re going to eat during the week and use this plan to prepare a shopping list. Not only will this shorten the time you’ll spend in the grocery store, but it will also make it easier for you to make your meals. In fact, why not get the whole family involved in making breakfast, lunch and dinner? This makes it faster, easier and much more fun!