The hectic and fun summer months are coming to a close soon. With the vacations and swim lessons wrapping up, many of you are now extra busy -helping the kids get ready for school. While books, fall fashions and class registrations are top on the list, you may have put your own goals on the back burner. This is certainly understandable, but you can take a few moments for yourself, too. Here are a few diet and fitness tips to help you gear up quickly and easily for that fall weight loss goal you’ve planned.
- Give yourself a start date for your diet, eating plan or fitness routine. You may be super busy with shopping and planning for the kids right now, but it only takes a minute or two to decide on a date when you plan to begin working on your health and weight goals. The key is to jot down your intention on the calendar.
- Keep cool under pressure. Okay, you’ve just committed to a start date for September 10th. Great! But today you’re feeling the financial pressure to buy the latest clothing for your child. Remember, it’s okay to give the kids a budget for clothing, which will take care of you and the family, too. The same principle holds true for time obligations. Honoring everyone’s needs will help you to limit any emotional eating that might have otherwise occurred.
- Make sure you have some easy, healthy snacks and meals around the house. During extra hectic times we often grab the easiest foods that are around. Simply be aware of human nature and you’re half way there. Then you can decide to keep some small packets of trail mix, pre-cut carrots and hummus, a veggie pizza, and some prepared salad around, to offset some of those summer party mixes that may linger around the house. You’ll thank yourself when you do start your plan- as you could save unwanted pounds from adding up in the meantime.
- Decide on a diet and fitness plan that’s right for you. Just like putting a start date on the calendar, it’s super helpful to decide what type of plan you want to follow. You don’t have to commit to this plan for life, just decide on a plan that seems sensible to you to get started. The best way of choosing a plan is to talk to a friend or family member who has been successful in their weight loss, and then check into it, to see if it works for your lifestyle.
By taking a few extra minutes now, you can relax and know that you’ll be ready to start your new weight loss or fitness plan soon enough. One plan that is easier for mom’s to follow is Strip That Fat. It’s got simple menus you can choose from, and an automated shopping list for you.
Until then, relax and enjoy this remaining summer time with the kids. It may not seem like it, but before you know it they’ll be on winter break, where you’ll be planning for the holidays. You’ll be able to eat some of those holiday foods you love, while avoiding the dreaded 5-10 pound gain that many people experience- simply by exercising a little discipline this fall.
