Now that fall is among us, those with kids are busy getting them off to school, gearing up for fall sports or maybe heading back to school or work themselves. Routines are very easily shaken up, changed, turned upside-down. It’s a very easy recipe for disaster.
But it doesn’t have to be.
My little guy isn’t old enough to be heading off to school or organized sports just yet but even something as routine as the changing seasons can sometimes throw me completely off my game. I can usually always fit my workouts in because I have the advantage of having a gym at work at my disposal. Where I tend to suffer the most is nutrition. Summer heading into fall means a change in the growing season and often much less selection for my area. The shorter days and longer nights mean I wake up in the dark and this mama does not function well sans sunshine in the morning.
Here are some tips that I’ve adopted that may seem like no brainers to some but have made a world of difference in keeping my food healthy, and my change in my pocket, not the vending machines:
–> Think ahead: Meal planning isn’t just for dinners, though many people tend to only plan for that one meal. I need to plan my lunches as well. Mostly because I do not like sandwiches and lunch meat makes me cringe. I don’t plan for the entire week but I try to always make my lunch the night before when I have time to make good decisions rather than in the morning when I’ve hit the snooze button one too many times and am rushing to get out the door.
–> Start Strong: Always eat breakfast and always eat a healthy breakfast. Sure those fun sugary cereals or simple cup of coffee on the run may seem like a good idea but if you don’t feed your body well from the start of the day, your decision-making will go downhill fast. That sugary, fun cereal that you buy for the kids but secretly enjoy yourself? Well it won’t fill you up for long and when that sugar crash hits, you’ll be reaching for a snack before your mid-morning coffee break. Try steel cut oats, or whole grain cereal with fruit instead. Try using sports nutrition for bodybuilding and fitness too. A full stomach is a happy stomach and a happy stomach won’t have you running to the vending machine for a midday pick-me-up.
–> Keep the change at Home: If you’re prone to hitting the vending machine to get over that mid-day slump and your will power just isn’t enough to keep you from indulging, keep your change at home. No money means no treats. If you suffer from mid-day slumps, try going for a short walk to clear your head and get some fresh air. It’ll do your body much more good than any candy bar.
–>Get your Sleep: Plan on going to bed at a decent hour. Be consistent with it. Our bodies need sleep and a decent amount of it in order to function properly. Lack of sleep not only affects our physical selves but also our mental selves as well. Don’t under-estimate the power of a good night’s rest.
Sleep is my major trouble spot. With me being in constant pain a good sleep is sometimes hard to achieve.
Great post, Steph! Yes… planning is key for SURVIVING each day!