Newswise — If having the children home for summer got you off track from healthy eating and exercise habits, now is the time to get back to the basics.
“Most of us have a vacation mentality during the summer. We love letting go of our schedules, heading to our favorite take out restaurant and keeping the kids busy,” said Stefanie Barthmare, a psychotherapist with the Methodist Weight Management Center in Houston. “By the end of the summer we’ve run out of steam. Unfortunately, not enough rest and a bunch of eating on the run is a recipe for weight gain and other health challenges.”
According to the National Institute of Health, statistically significant weight gain that occurs during the holiday season every year is not typically lost during the summer months. This is why studies are predicting the number of obese people in America will increase from 99 million in 2008 to 164 million by 2030.
Barthmare recommends creating a basic plan that will put your health first. Look for a yoga class that fits your schedule. Plan a walk with a friend or with your spouse to start your day. Spend an hour planning meals for the week. Whatever it is, finding at least 30 minutes a day to exercise and planning meals for the week will go a long way toward boosting your mental and physical well-being.
“Getting back into a routine is a no-fail route to lesson on the run decision making about food and exercise,” Barthmare said. “A plan that starts with actions you can continue to do even when the seasons change is one that will produce lasting change. Start with the basics like a few days of food records or getting to bed earlier tonight. That’s what works.”
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