The end of summer draws to a close and so begins the chaos of fall: sporting events, car pools, back to school, back to work, and the list goes on and on. If you’re anything like I used to be- fall mean that “me-time” goes on the back burner. Health and fitness are second to quick dinners, rushing out the door, and a to- do list that doesn’t seem to end.
How do I manage? How do I keep my head above water?
I’m here to tell you that you can not only survive, but thrive! Here are a couple of my tips for thriving in the chaos of fall!
1. Define your priorities: Instead of saying, I don’t have time for that, try saying it just isn’t a priority right now. We all have a to-do list, but there is a difference between what we need to do vs. what we feel like we need to do! Ask yourself, what is the worst that can happen if I don’t check off everything on my list? Prioritize. What is the most important part of day? What do I absolutely need to get done? If you ask me, a priority should always be your health. Schedule it into the to do list. Oh and dare I say it? Practice the art of saying, “No.” If volunteering to run your child’s cross country team after school isn’t a priority, practice the art of saying, “No.”
2. Prep your meals ahead of time:
Take one day a week to plan out and prep your meals for the week. Usually Mike and I take about 20 minutes to plan out our meals, save them to template, and post them on the fridge. I create the grocery list, get to the store, and then spend a couple hours on Sunday afternoon getting the meals ready for the week. Sunday seems to be the day that works best for us, and even though at first it can seem time consuming, it saves you in the long run! Not only does it save you time, but it’s a great way to hold yourself accountable to making good choices, and it helps you avoid impulse shopping: hello budget friendly buying!
>>>Email me to receive a free meal plan template and meal plan! <<<<<<
3. Bust out the crockpot: Speaking of meal planning. It’s also crockpot season. At least twice a week during the fall we select healthy, easy crock pot meals. This is a great option for evenings that are filled with family activities, running around, and carpools. Also the crockpot bag is a great way to avoid clean-ups too!
Crockpot Dinners I Love:
Turbofire Chili
Slow Cooker Mexican Dinner
Crockpot Chicken
***New Recipe (Coming soon)
4. Build in the me- time:
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| My Me Time Means I Sweat! |
One of those established priorities should absolutely be YOU! No. It’s not selfish. It’s true. Your health makes you a better mom, wife, friend, teacher, coach, whatever! Having time to workout scheduled into your day alleviates the stresses of everyday life. This may mean that you sacrifice time elsewhere- perhaps you rise an hour earlier or go to bed a little later, but the additional energy is well worth it. Schedule like you would a doctor’s appointment. You don’t miss it. You do it for your health. And you get amazing results. Here are my PIYO results!
Other great me-time activities:
- Read a great book
- Take a cooking class
- Go for a walk
- Enjoy a glass of wine and a sitcom
- Call a friend you haven’t talked to in awhile
- Take a yoga class
5. Outsource and Delegate
If you’re tired of doing it all, look at that list and think about who can help you tackle it all! Perhaps you can look at your family finances and decide if you can afford a little extra help. Rely on others too. Can you hire a neighbor to walk the dog? Can your husband tackle the piles of laundry? It’s not a poor reflection on you for asking help. In fact it reveals organization and establishes a more consistent routine. I call that winning!
I’d love to teach you more about how I stay on track, make my health a priority, and schedule me-time. My monthly challenge groups are perfect for the busy mom on the go, and the best part is, you don’t have to leave your living room to participate. Please fill out the form for more information!
