Getting Back-to-School and Back to Health!

If you’re a parent, educator, school employee or college student, the transition from summer to back-to-school can be challenging to say the least.

Maybe your summer included a few road trips, vacations, less meals at home and more eating on-the-go. Many times August/September rolls around and we feel like we’re starting back at square one. We’re trying to get back to our exercise routine, back to cooking more at home and eating healthier. I know this can feel overwhelming. Maybe you simply don’t feel motivated to get back into the swing of things.

Here are some tips and tricks I would recommend!

1. Start small

- Your goal this week could be as simple as eating a vegetable with dinner each night and drinking more water.

- Avoid the temptation to take an all or nothing approach to your health. The most realistic approach is taking baby steps and being consistent.

2. Move your body

- Notice I didn’t say exercise. One of my biggest tips when it’s a struggle to get back to the gym or out on a walk is to simply move more and sit less. This could look like taking a phone call while pacing the room instead of sitting in a chair or taking the stairs, when possible, instead of the elevator.

- Take some of the pressure off of yourself to expect a 30-minute workout every day. Start small and work your way up.

3. Find easy ways to cook more at home

- Making eating at home simple

- Crockpot meals, air fried leftovers or ready prepared meals from the store that are heat and eat! Until you get into a good routine with a new schedule, start basic and work your way up.

- If you don’t own an instant pot, air fryer or toaster oven, I highly recommend adding them to your Christmas list! They are a great way to short cut a meal and avoid turning on the oven.

4. Learn to love leftovers

- Using the kitchen appliances mentioned above, you can learn to love leftovers! Things that you hate to reheat in the microwave regain their appeal when reheated in an air fryer where they are crispy and fresh again. Leftovers are such an easy way to put in the time and effort once and have it work in your favor for lunch the next day or even a dinner rerun.

Whatever your first step may be to getting back into the school year schedule, it’s never too late to start and it’s never too small of a step! The new school year can be treated just as the turn of a new year – set goals, find your motivation and create a consistent schedule and routine that is reasonable and attainable. Make sure you have some accountability to keep you moving forward when it gets difficult.

I’m here for you and I believe in you!