Don't Let Back To School Back You Off

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

27 Sep 2007 10:21 AM

Yes, we're back to school and the schedule is as crazy as ever. To add insult to injury, I've got pneumonia. Yes, you read that right, I have pneumonia. It's the walking variety so I didn't even feel that sick, I just had a cough that wouldn't quit. Finally went to the doctor about it and now I'm on some heavy duty antibiotics and medications to help get rid of it. That's a lot of what back to school is about:

• New schedule
• New commitments
• New responsibilities
• New viruses

Getting adjusted to all of this new stuff can really get you down and you may find yourself blowing off your exercise routine day after day - not because you don't want to do it but because suddenly there are all these other important things going on in your life and you are juggling them as fast as you can.

Prioritize

This is a time to set your priorities. Don't wait for there to be enough time or that won't happen. Trust me, an exercise routine is one of the hardest things to regain when you ditch it and it doesn't have to be because of physical ailment. As a parent and as a person, you need to plan, prepare and perform.

Plan what activities you have going on whether it's getting the kiddo to school, you to work, their after school activities, your volunteer work and more. You know what's on the list, so build a plan. Chances are you don't have something every single day, so you want to be able to punch your workout into those empty slots.

Prepare yourself. This is a stressful time and it doesn't lighten up anytime between now and the New Year. September is always crazy around here with birthdays and back to school. Then you have Halloween, anniversaries, more birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's a breakneck pace, so prepare yourself now by planning ahead.

You will perform better at everything else you do if you maintain your commitment to your workout and perform it regularly. Trust me. So don't let being back at school back you off your fitness plans and goals. Come the New Year, you won't need a resolution to get fit, because you'll already be getting there.

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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