September is the new "New Year"

Tricia Hayton, Registered Physiotherapist
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I find that the beginning of September brings as many resolutions and promises to improve people’s health as January 1st.  The advantage of starting your active lifestyle in September, is that it is still warm enough to get outside and enjoy Mother Nature.  Veggies are fresh and the farmers markets are still in full swing, so eating healthy is simple and tastes great.   So, what are some tips to making your new lifestyle count?

1. Start small:  In order for your changes to make a difference, you need to make a lifestyle change – not take part in a diet fad or exercise trend.   Making huge reductions in your calorie count or hitting the gym 5 days a week can be difficult to maintain over the long haul.    Start by slowing changing the nutritional quality of your food, or reducing portion sizes.   For exercise, start with a daily walk or a simple exercise class available in your local community centre.  
2. Reward yourself: not all changes have to be removing something from your life that you enjoy.  Add in a hobby or an activity that you have always wanted to try such as an art class, a new hair cut or regular pedicures.    Take a look at that bucket list and see what is possible.
3. Work healthy habits into your lifestyle:   You have a life that works for you, so try to incorporate changes into what you already do.   Are you a sports parent?  Take a walk in the community around the arena during practice to kill time.   Do you commute?  Try walking from the train station or park at a parking lot a little further away while the weather is nice.  Do you order a gourmet coffee every day?  Try ordering something with low fat milk and skip the whip cream.

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You can do this!  Yes, you are probably going to occasionally couch surf or sneak in that tasty treat, but that is all part of the gradual lifestyle change.   Allow yourself these exceptions, then get back on track.   Remember – We are all athletes!