Back to School and Back to YOU!

The kids are back in school so now it’s time to put focus on YOU! It’s easy to get sidetracked and “fall off the wagon” with family obligations and summer fun, and it can be pretty daunting getting started again. Here are some tips to help get you back on track:

• Set small, realistic goals. Whether you want to lose weight, run a marathon, or just get a little healthier – it won’t happen in a day. Start SLOW and set small goals, such as making it a point to walk or hit the gym more. You don’t need to spend hours working out – just 30 minutes per day, a few times a week will be enough to get you started and once it becomes part of your routine, you can start really focusing on those bigger goals.

• Create a plan and write it down. Writing down your goals and/or keeping a journal of your food intake or exercise for the day can be very helpful for accountability. It will serve as a reminder of why you got started or be that extra motivation to keep you going, especially on the tough days.

• Find a workout buddy. Sometimes, despite our best intentions, we just need an extra push. Grab a friend and hit the trail/gym! It will make the workout go by much faster and be much more fun! It will also keep you both accountable – if you are relying on one another to exercise, you won’t want to let one another down! Even a dog can make a good walking/jogging buddy.

Whatever your goal is, make it a point to carve out some time just for you. It will be great for your body AND your mind. By: Gina Stallone