Ah Routine!!

Most of us thrive on routine:  Waking up in the morning, preparing our first meal of the day, maybe a trip to the gym, and then starting our work day.  We finish our work day, complete all of our evening activities, and then the next day is in front of us just like that.  As we head out of the summer, and into the fall, there were probably a number of times, maybe weeks at a time, when we fell out of our routine.

September is not the start of a new calendar year, but for many, it is the start of their “year” to get back into the swing of things, arrange our work, healthy nutrition and gym schedule, and maybe for some, take on a new challenge.  What do you do in your life right now that is working and bringing about positive results?  Make your list, and make a conscious effort to keep those healthy, positive things in your daily rituals. 

How do you fuel yourself through your day?  Is your diet adequate in fruits and vegetables, protein, complex carbohydrates and dairy products?  Or do you tend to reach for those quick “grab-and-go” snacks that are usually higher in sugar and fat?  Vegetables and fruit are great snacks to have with you, and when paired with a source of protein (ie. peanut butter, nuts, glass of milk, yogurt, low fat cheese, hummus), these snacks will keep you satisfied until your next meal comes about.  So, if you need a new challenge, make an effort to prepare some fruits and vegetables at the beginning of your work week.  The more you get your family involved, spouses and/or children, the faster the process will be, and the more people will benefit from good nutrition!

Are you heading back into your weekly fitness routine?  If you took a few extra days off over the summer months, getting back into your fitness routine with something that you are comfortable with is an excellent place to start.  Put a little marker in your calendar three months from now though.  Our bodies get accustomed to moving and doing the same things on a daily basis.  Try to switch up one or two of your “active” days in three months time to trick your body and get it moving a little differently! This will give you a new challenge and your body something new to adjust to, helping you burn more calories and see different fitness results.

Routines help us stay on track with many things in our lives.  There is always the possibility to improve what we currently practice on a daily basis! So, let this be the year where you take a look at your current routine and truly ask yourself, “what can I do differently to help me lead a healthier life?”