Spring into September

Spring…a time for new beginnings, a fresh start, a clean slate, a new wardrobe! Yes, we can (finally) leave winter behind and say a cheery Hello to longer days, brighter sunshine, and bare legs…well eventually (hopefully)!

So, just as a good spring clean for the house is on the to do list, I’ve also put together a little 3-step “spring into September” challenge. Not one of those nasty physical challenges that has you doing a gazillion burpees by the end of the month. This one has more of a recalibration feel to it…a shedding of the winter woollies and getting your butt into gear before we start singing Christmas carols and talking New Years resolutions.

3-steps to “spring into September”

1. Move Daily

OK, so I know we all move daily – but I’m talking the type of movement that takes you further than the couch, fridge, office & car. MOVE for about 20 minutes a day – walk, swim, jog, ride, play tennis, play with the kids down the park, walk to school pick-up, try yoga or pilates – JUST MOVE.

2. Eat Real Food

When trying to come up with a cool catchy phrase I couldn’t think of anything else but this. If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know I don’t subscribe to any fad diets, I just eat & promote wholesome, tasty, nutritious REAL food and keep it simple.

Here’s a few examples:

• Home-made pizza over take away pizza – you get to choose your own toppings and its probably cheaper
• 1 or 2 pieces of fresh fruit instead of a Boost Juice – definitely cheaper, will fill you up and give you an extra 10 -minutes in your day as you don’t have to wait in a queue
• Salad & protein for dinner – so simple its ridiculous. Throw together a combination of anything you have in the crisper or pick up a few bits on the way home, add some feta, drizzle over some olive oil & freshly ground pepper and you have a salad. Serve that with a piece of steak, chicken or fish and you have just about the perfect balance of macro & micro-nutrients on your plate.
• Eggs – cooked how you like, served with what you like, a complete meal in under 10 mins

3. Connect socially

Social interactions and relationships are vitally important to our emotional and mental health & well-being. By connect I don’t mean via social media or electronically. I mean REALLY CONNECT – pick-up the phone and call a friend. And just talk. Make time to meet for coffee or lunch or breakfast or dinner. Go and visit your parents, grandparents, elderly relatives. Walk across the road and say Hi to a neighbour. Put screen devices (large & small) away/off at meal times and connect as a couple/family. Plan date nights with your partner, and girls/boys nights with your friends. Sounds like a fun month ahead!

So there you have it. It’s a tough challenge (!) but if you stick with it, you will be skipping and hopefully smiling into October.

Have fun

Jac xx