Fall Must Haves to Start The Year Healthy
For all my busy women, mamas and working professionals, it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everything you need to in a day, and unfortunately even easier to push away healthy choices that you know would make you feel better.
As we kickoff off a new school year, it’s always a nice time to treat ourselves- whether we’re in a school house or not- to a fresh start and create some new, more positive habits.
It can be a little overwhelming to know where to start and what’s most important to follow, and often times we bite off more than we can chew and expect ourselves to make a 180 to our lives.
Instead, try setting yourself up for actual success by making smaller, more accessible changes that will help you make the greater shifts.
Below are some of my favorite products and tips that help me stay on track.
Get yourself a water bottle(s) you like. I have more bottles than I care to admit to (it’s research, right?), but as a result I have found a few favorites, including specific ones that I use at home and ones I take with me on the go. Having a water bottle that you like on hand at all times helps you get into the habit of drinking more water.
Find workout clothes you feel good in. I always say that in order to commit to a workout routine, it’s important to set yourself for success by taking away the obstacles. One of the biggest ones is your workout clothes. If you don’t have outfits that you feel good in and that are comfortable to wear, then you’re creating an obstacle before you even get started. Instead, pick up a few pieces that make want to get dressed and move your body.
Some of my favorites are Lululemon Align, Alo Yoga, Carbon38 and JoyLab at Target
Notebook/ journal: I’m a big believer in writing things down to get them off your mind and onto paper. Whether it’s reminders and tasks, mental chatter that won’t stop or some goals and dreams you want to manifest, whatever you’re jam, having a notebook and pen that you keep on hand (or a notes app on your phone if you prefer- I’m old school) can help you create more peace and calm in your mind and your day.
Bala Bangles- these are a simple, yet effective way get your heart rate up and your muscles toned, all while doing every day activities like laundry, dishes and going up and down your stairs a million times like me. Or add them a workout whether a walk or a Yoga class. This is a great example of how to get stronger and healthier without adding another task to your day.
Supplements: it’s always important to consult with a doctor or other health care practitioner, but a few key supplements that I typically recommend to my clients, friends and family include:
Multivitamin- While it’s important to get as many nutrients as possible from the food you eat, we also need to be practical and know that between schedules, commitments, cravings , etc., we’re not always hitting the mark. Even those who eat a strict, super clean and whole food diet don’t get all the necessary nutrients for their bodies because the soil in todays world is unfortunately not the best environment for all the plants to grow. That’s where a multivitamin comes into play, because it helps to fill the gaps left from our dietary intake. While I have no affiliation to these brands, two multivitamins I love are here and here.
Vitamin D- This vitamin is a critical vitamin that is hard to get only from food, and isn’t the safest to get from the sun, because you would have to nix the sunscreen to fully absorb it. That’s why I highly recommend taking a vitamin D supplement. And it’s so important because it helps regulate our moods, energy
Synbiotic (pre+probiotic mix). I could talk about the importance of a synbiotic for hours, but the health of our gut really dictates our overall health, and in order to optimize your gut, you need to supply it with what it needs. This is what a synbiotic is for- it contains the prebiotics that feed and support the probiotics, as well as the specific probiotic strains that your gut needs in order to optimize digestion, reduce bloating, improve your mood and so. much. more. I have a whole blog about optimizing your gut that you can find here.
THIS is my personal favorite synbiotic that I take religiously every morning- even if it’s the only thing I accomplish ;). I also have a special deal for you- take 15% off your first month of Seed DS-01™ with code MELISSAH.
These are just a few suggestions, but always find what works for YOU. Remember to keep it small and simple, and the more consistent you are, the bigger the wins and results.
