Back to fitness!

The lazy days of summer are but a faint memory. Sunny days at the beach, backyard BBQ’s, junk food laden road trips, Sangria Saturday’s and S’more Sundays took priority over our regular pre-summer fitness routine. We entered summer a little thinner and met fall a wee bit heavier. Somewhere in between doing the happy-back-to-school-dance and packing lunches we need to register for our own back-to-fitness program and get on track!

Interactive Homework

You don’t need to hit the books to start your homework. Why not check out the Healthy and Fit Magazine Expo on the 25th? A fun and interactive expo is a smart way to jump start your back-to-fitness routine. Every subject is covered – health food demos, interactive workout demos, massage and reflexology, the latest gizmos and gadgets to give your workouts variety and a whole lot more. Plus fun activities for the kids.Best of all – it’s FREE!

To make your homework more enjoyable remember these tips:

• Check out the Expo website at www.healthyfitexpo.com. You can see a list of all the vendors. Make a list of the vendors you’re most interested in so if you’re pressed for time you won’t miss out.
• Bring a tote bag or use the freebie bags to collect all your information to read when you get back home.
• Bring your pocket calendar or other handy device to schedule future appointments for a personal training session, massage or meeting with a dietitian. Often, you’ll get great introductory prices on these services at the Expo.
• Wear comfy shoes and clothes so you can participate in the obstacle course,rock wall and other workout demos.
• Plan at least an hour or so to take it all in.

Register for prizes! Sure it takes a little time but wouldn’t it be great to win a fitness freebie?

Back-to-Fitness Shopping

Why not get some new workout gear or equipment for your fresh start? If you blew most of the funds shopping for the kiddies check out the clearance racks at the sporting goods store, pop on eBay for new and gently used inexpensive clothing and shoes. I bought my last pair of Puma’s from eBay for a fraction of the retail price.

Hit Craigslist for your area and explore some fitness equipment. Area gyms know you been slacking off most of the summer so they usually offer great deals on new memberships in September. If you’re not into the gym scene rent workout DVD’s from your local library or inexpensively from Netflix.

Good-Bye Hello Kitty. Hello Bento Box.

Save money and your waist line by packing your own lunch. A Bento box or laptop lunchbox is the ultimate essential for your lunch break. Stylish and practical, these boxes have 3 – 4 individual compartments with lids to keep food and beverages fresh and tasty. Plus, you have automatic portion control. No tempting super-size option here.There are plenty of cheap ones out there but spend a bit more and get a BPA free box.

To avoid the early morning packing rush, prepare your food at night by simply making extra at dinner. For instance, baked potatoes with healthy toppings like salsa and beans or leftover veggies and a drizzle of vinaigrette is quick and filling. Boil some eggs on Sunday and use them throughout the week for a protein source. Leftover quinoa, pasta and brown rice with Monday’s chicken and veggies tossed in is a fiber and protein rich lunch that will ward off vending machine temptations. Add some fresh fruit and throw in a small piece of dark chocolate and you’re good to go.

Stars and Stickers

Next to getting a fresh box of crayons for the new school year, gold stars and stickers were the item to covet and collect as a kid. Nothing was more motivating then to see my name and a row of shinny gold stars or stickers next it. A sense of achievement and bragging rights were proudly displayed on the front board for all to see. It still works today. Make a monthly or weekly chart. Instead of just checking off the days that you worked out, add categories like eating healthy, meeting your water quota and etc. Allow for one cheat day. If you succeed on the other 6 days, reward yourself!

Get in the Clique

I’m not suggesting we re-visit those high school drama queens (although you can probably still find them on Facebook) but people who will encourage and motivate you to stay on course. Hanging out with the right crowd can significantly improve your chances on getting enough credits to graduate to a healthier and fit lifestyle.

Lisa Marie Metzler is a personal trainer and freelance writer who still covets a fresh box of crayons as well as a new pair of sneakers.