Fall…

Ahhhh, that wonderful time of the year when kids go back to school, the leaves turn beautiful colors, and the temperatures cool off. It’s a great time to get back on track with your nutrition and go back to school yourself.

Here at the JCC we are starting a 4-week Fall for Healthy Living class, starting Monday, October 31, at 11 am or 7 pm. The course will cover some nutrition basics such as portion control and reading food labels but also more complex topics.  We will explore the plethora of ways to live a healthy lifestyle, what this terms means to you, and how you can apply it to yourself and your family’s life.

For those of you too busy to go to an in-person class or the scheduled time doesn’t fit with your schedule, you can sign up for the online version. The online version has the same information as the in-class option in PowerPoints and videos. In addition to the information, you will be connected to fellow classmates and me through a private Facebook group for support and discussion.

Here are 3 tips to get you started with healthy living:

1. Plan Your Meals
   I’m sure you’ve heard this time and time again but there’s a good reason! Taking time to plan your meals for the week, shop for ingredients, and make food ahead of time can make those busy mornings and evenings much easier. Instead of worrying what to make for dinner and what ingredients you may have at home, you can be assured that you have a delicious, healthy meal waiting for you and your family. Meal planning can also help those families who are on the go in the evening. Between picking up kids from practices, running errands and other responsibilities, a healthy meal may be the last thing on your to-do list. So why not get it out of the way and help relieve some of your stress!
2. Get Some Sleep!
   Most people require 7-9 hours of sleep per night to feel their best-and no matter how super hero like you are, this includes you! Make sure you get adequate amounts of shut eye so you can tackle your daily to-do list with ease. Decreased amounts of sleep can also impact how hungry you feel during the day! Not getting enough sleep can cause your body to release more hormones associated with hunger which can lead to overeating. So set yourself up for success by getting adequate sleep!
3. Schedule Times to Exercise
   Just like you schedule when your children’s practices are, date night with your partner, or seeing friends, you should also schedule when you are going to exercise. As with planning your meals, this can help ensure that you are getting the recommended amount of exercise per week. Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore; it can be something you enjoy. There are many, many ways to exercise and try new ways to work out here at the JCC. Think outside the box and try something new – like one of our new Yoga or Group Core classes!

I hope you can join me and Fall for Healthy Living!

Featured image via Adobe Stock