“BACK TO SCHOOL”- WEIGHT LOSS EDITION

Summer is winding down and your children are gearing up for school. The turn of the season is a new beginning. Why wait until New Year’s to think about losing weight when you can start now? Fall is a time of change new season, new school year, and even a new lifestyle. Listen to our new podcast episode on Back to School Weight Loss and Creating a Healthy Home Environment.

Focus on you: When your children return to school, you’ll have more time to yourself. Losing weight requires you to focus and be present, which is much easier said than done. Take some time to reflect on your summer. What did you accomplish? Where can you improve? What were some of your highlights? Acknowledge where you need to improve, and be mindful next time you’re in that situation. If late-night snacks are your downfall, next time you reach for the fridge, stop and ask yourself: “Why am I eating now?” The extra focus may be the willpower you need to walk away when you aren’t physically hungry.

Revamp your back-to-school shopping: Pencils and pens are back-to-school essentials, but don’t overlook your grocery list. Encourage healthy eating among your whole family this fall. Small changes add up to big health benefits. Skip the variety bags of chips and load up your cart on a variety of fruit instead. Apples, bananas, and berries are more filling and pack a bigger nutritional punch! Tip: Stick to the perimeter of the grocery store where the freshest foods are stored. The more processed, fattening foods are typically found in the middle aisles.

Plan your meals: Back-to-school season requires planning. You probably have your children’s fall schedules written down on in a calendar, and this strategy can work with your meals. If you plan your meals, you won’t be as likely to run to the nearest fast-food restaurant in a hurry to feed your busy family. It’s easier than you think. If you cook in bulk, one meal can feed your family two or more nights of the week. So if you plan it right, you may only need to cook three meals per week. Check out some of CMWL’s weight loss friendly recipes the whole family will love!

Take advantage of the weather: Sweltering summer days are almost behind us, making room for the crisp fall air. Take advantage of it. Get outside and take a walk, plan a weekend hike, or go apple picking with your family. You’ll burn calories in the process and the extra fresh air will have you feeling refreshed and motivated to stick with your weight loss plan!