Getting Back on Track After Labor Day
Every year I’m amazed at how summer just seems to fly by!!! It is truly my favorite season, lots of sunshine, beach days, picnics, and not to forget the delicious summer treats from BBQs to ice-cream to cocktails!
I over indulged on some of my favorite meals and by overindulging I am also accepting the consequences that come with that, like bloating and some weight gain.
The good news is, I enjoyed every bite and have zero regrets. But now that summer is coming to an end, it’s time to get back on track.
So I’m sharing my mini-plan to get back on track after Labor Day:
Step 1: Drink warm water with lemon first thing in morning (and throughout the day). Staying hydrated helps to get things moving!
Step 2: Get outside and move your body. Take long walks or hit the gym … Every step counts. If you have a workout routine, get back on track asap. Better yet take your workout outside and expose yourself to sunlight, soak up some vitamin D!
If you’ve been traveling across time zones sunlight helps shift your body’s clock to adjust to the new time zone and reduces jet lag effects. The optimum time for sun exposure differs based on your travel direction, number of time zones crossed, etc. Jetlag Rooster provides you with a free personalized plan to reduce your jet lag.
Step 3: Pay attention to portions. Practice moderation and pay attention to your portions. A rule I follow is to fill my plate with 1/2 leafy greens, 1/4 protein and 1/4 complex carbs. Works like a charm!
Step 4: Don’t skip meals. Instead focus on having balanced meals to keep your blood sugar levels steady. Skipping meals only leads to intense cravings and overindulging later in the day. Keep meals balanced and nourishing. Notice how much more control you will have over your food choices when you give your body what it needs.
Step 5: Eat real foods. Focus on eating real foods and avoid processed ones. Real foods are nourishing and filling. Best way to eat real food is to have real food on hand. For years I made the mistake to order take out the first week after a trip as I adjusted to my routine, time zone and to real life, but it only made things worse. Fast forward to today, I find that if I have good food, I will eat good food.
So now I order my groceries online using Instacart the day I arrive and voila good food delivered! Then I plan super simple meals for the week, this alone makes a huge difference.
Put this mini-plan into action ASAP to get back to feeling your best! I know I’ll be using it, too!
Planning ahead is one of the most important keys to reaching your goals, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and maintaining your ideal weight. You know the saying “When you fail to plan, you plan to fail,” right? I find this to be so very true when it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle.
About Farah:
Farah Elhadidy is a Certified Holistic Health Coach, and founder of www.WellnessWithinYourReach.com, a health coaching website and blog that empowers women in areas of health, nutrition and lifestyle.
Farah helps high-achieving women and men lose weight and find their balance. Farah has helped hundreds of clients around the world through private coaching, online programs and her blog.
She follows a whole food, whole life approach. She understands what you’re up against and truly believes that healthy positive change is within your reach.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the those of Dr. Parks or Synergy Private Health.
