Use the Back-to-School Season to create new routines!
Use the Back-to-School Season to create new routines!
Hello, Friend! Happy Tuesday!
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The back-to-school season is often associated with children heading back to the classroom, new textbooks, and fresh starts.
If you have kids, you know what that’s like.
And if you don’t, or they’re not school-aged yet, I imagine you remember what it was like to head back to school when you were young. The “freedom” of the summer is over. You need to get up earlier, you can’t play or hang out with friends all day, you might have homework. You see what I mean. Things change when you head back to school, and I think we can all use the sentiment of this season as a clean slate of sorts.
Even though many of us are not going back to school ourselves, this time of year can be an excellent opportunity for adults to revamp their routines, set new health and fitness goals, and prioritize their well-being. Whether your kids are leaving the house or you're just seeking a change, here are some things to consider if you’re looking to make the most of this season to improve your health, nutrition, and fitness.
You might want to establish a new routine.
Have things gotten lax over the summer? Have you put off workouts? Been relaxed with your sleep or food schedule?
Maybe you want to set up consistent wake-up times and bedtimes. This will help regulate your body's internal clock, making it easier to plan meals and workouts.
Consider if there is anything that’s gotten away from you that you want to rein back in. If there is, create a path to bringing it back. You don’t have to go from an 11:00 bedtime to 9:00 in one night… gradual change can be easier!
You might want to set new goals.
Now is the perfect time to assess your health, nutrition, and fitness and consider setting specific, achievable goals. Whether it's losing a few pounds, improving your cardiovascular fitness, or simply eating more fruits and veggies, having clear objectives can give you direction and help you stay motivated.
Though they can, new goals also don’t have to be one single thing like “run a 5k.” It could be aiming for consistency. Like, “Take a 20+ minute walk 3x per week",” or “Do 20 pushups each day.”
Create a plan to hit these items too. Work up to running that 5k. Or put reminders on your phone to remind you to do your pushups.
You might want to plan some meals in advance.
Take advantage of the back-to-school season to plan your meals more intentionally. Plan one or more meals or snacks per day. Make sure you buy what you need for those meals/snacks.
If you really want to go for it, you can make a menu for the whole week! Aim to include a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Involving your family in meal planning can also be a great way to encourage healthy eating habits and get everyone on the same back-to-school page. Also, if you give everyone a say in what’s being served, there’s a greater chance that they will actually eat the food!
You might reevaluate your exercise routine.
With more structured daily routines, you might be able to carve out dedicated time for exercise. Whether it's going for a morning jog, attending fitness classes, or simply taking daily walks, make physical activity a non-negotiable part of your schedule. And block it on your schedule so you know the time will remain available!
Remember, small bouts of exercise spread out through the day are beneficial too! It doesn’t have to be one longer session to be effective.
Whatever it might be for you, I encourage all of us to use the back-to-school season as an opportunity to reset and refocus on your health and fitness journey. By establishing a new routine, setting clear goals, planning nutritious meals, or prioritizing exercise you can make significant strides toward a healthier you.
In fact, you don’t even have to work on new things… you could very well just bring back older routines that may have fallen off a bit over the past few months! Either way, embrace this season of change and watch as it leads to positive transformations in your life.
If you have ideas of what you might want to work on over the next few months, I’d love to hear and cheer you on! Share in the comments or send me an email at sara@nutritionforlifeproject.com!
One more thing… if you need any support in figuring out new menu options, creating habits, or better understanding your food, might I suggest checking out my eBook?! It’s full of helpful tips, recipes, and educational items to help improve your relationship to food and health! It could be super helpful when you’re figuring out how to tackle your back to school upgrades!
As always, thank you for reading,
xoxo,
Sara