Balancing Back to School + Fitness

Whether you're in college (like me!), a mom with school-aged children, a high schooler, or just need advice for balancing all things fitness + life, then this post is for YOU - Hellloooo!!

I know you're all busy bees so let's get right into it :)

1. Plan, plan, plan - get a planner/agenda! I personally prefer paper and a pen but google calendars are another great option. Make weekly and daily to do lists that align with your goals. Focus on the small tasks day by day and keep track of progress. There are also fitness journals you can purchase to keep separate from your other commitments. Staying organized will help keep you on track and avoid becoming overwhelmed.

2. Identify "non-negotionables" and highlight them in your agendas! I like to color code to further organize each type of task. Non-negotionables are tasks that you are committing to no matter what else the day holds. Ex: Working out for x amount of days per week, drinking x amount of water per day, getting x amount of steps in per day, studying for x amount of hours per day, etc. Pick a few to focus on, be realistic so that you can sustainably improve in these certain areas.

3. Prep - prep clothes for school/work and gym the night before + prep food night before prepare breakfast (overnight oats are my go to) also pack your lunch(es) if needed, and place your vitamins, coffee cup, keys, etc. on the counter ready to grab and go in the AM. Anything that will ease your path from point A to point B (your goal). Make your routine serve you. A path of least resistance = more peace...and success. :)

4. Ditch the all or nothing attitude - If you have a tight schedule, don't be deterred. Keep your goals doable so that you can accomplish them frequently/consistently. Fit it in where and when you can! 15-30 mins of a workout at home, a gym, anywhere is better than nothing. Also note that the activity you do outside of your workout (NEAT) is more important overall to burn calories and maintain your health - can't fit in a workout? No prob! Make sure to get your steps in with a walk, play with your pets or kids, stretch, etc. there's more to a healthy lifestyle than just going to the gym :)

5. Keep it light and fun - be sure to include rest and breaks for self-care in your routine. It's truly all about balance before anything else. Balance will help you avoid burn-out and lead you to your goals smoother and actually faster. Keep in mind that an intense strict plan can lead to failure..because who wants to stay on track when they constantly feel miserable?! Serving yourself is the first step to serving those around you.

Sometimes taking a bit of stress off yourself is exactly what you need to succeed. Listen to your body and be flexible. You can do hard things - prove it to yourself day in and day out. I know you're gonna crush it!!

I hope this gives you the boost you need before the semester/season of life. And wish me luck on my last semester of university. Here is to growing together. 🤍