As the summer comes to an end and the vacations start dwindling down…a lot of people begin to dwindle down themselves. The clothes get heavier, the nights get darker and colder and the planned workouts get pushed aside for sleeping in, sitting by the fire, and baking holiday cookies. This is the time to get on a healthy schedule if you want to stay healthy through the fall and winter months – aka the holidays!!!
Here are 5 tips on how to stay fit after those summer months are long behind you (…and when fruits & vegetables get replaced with delicious but diet-destroying holiday cookies!
Tip 1: Get up early. Rise and shine before work or before anyone who depends on you wakes up. It’s the perfect time to get your workout in. Too many times we are bombarded with new unexpected plans throughout the day and especially with the holiday season – filled with colds, parties, potlucks and gift exchanges – there is no better option than exercising before your day begins.
Tip 2:Get Support. Whether it’s from your spouse, kids, friends, coworkers or your personal trainer, support helps anyone looking to get and stay motivated.
Tip 3: Cook Healthy. If you’re not grocery shopping weekly and stocking your pantry and fridge with healthy options, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Exercising on a daily basis is only a small part of achieving that perfect body that you’re after. What you eat determines your health, strength, muscle tone and weight loss because our food instantly reflects how we look and feel. Cooking is one of the easiest ways to control your weight and your health – forever.
Tip 4: Invest in New Workout Clothes. Who wants to workout in the same outfit everyday? Invest in some new exercise clothes instead of another pair of jeans. If you buy clothes that make you feel and look good, you’ll want to flaunt them – plus work hard to keep looking good! Some great places to shop are Lululemon, Athleta, Gap and SweatyBetty
Tip 5: Create a Goal Sheet. Tracking your workout progress really can help you stay on track, keep you motivated, and see where you might be slacking. Mark down the days you plan to exercise on a physical calendar or planner. If you skip a workout, write down why you had to skip it. If you find yourself with the same reasons for skipping workouts (worked too late, tired, slept in, work meeting, etc.), then you might want to consider a new workout schedule or plan.
Happy Fall!