Although the first official day of Spring isn’t until next weekend, it is already starting to feel like winter is over. Yesterday it got up to 72 degrees in New York, the sun was shining and the parks and streets were filled with people enjoying the weather, and today will be the same. 

Spring means a lot of things. For many of us, it means Spring Break. Whether you are traveling or not, a week off from school or work can disrupt our routines and we have to plan for that. If you are traveling, what you plan to eat is just as important as what you plan to wear and where you plan to go. If you want to stay as clean and healthy as possible, plan ahead and give yourself all the preparation you need. Losing over vacation is difficult but possible. But if you want to enjoy the local food and drink, enjoy it. Maintaining is just as much of an accomplishment. But no matter what you choose, it’s back on track 100% when you return. If you are not traveling, it can sometimes be even harder to keep ourselves in check. We are at home with a house full of food, and if we aren’t occupied we could end up snacking all day long. A relaxing week at home is what many of us may need, but if you don’t keep some kind of control it will be hard to come back from it. Give yourself some peace of mind and make a plan for Spring Break. Decide now and follow through. 

This season can also mean Spring Cleaning – out with the old and in with the new. Maybe you need to mix it up and try new things. Maybe check out a new restaurant or recipe. Get outside and go for a walk and explore new streets and neighborhoods. Sign up for a personal trainer or a class with friends. Even the smallest change can invigorate your routine and your motivation. Going through the motions every day can become boring and monotonous, and makes us vulnerable to going off plan. We look for something, anything to excite us. Make it something healthy and positive. 

Spring can also mean growth. Flowers bloom, the leaves grow back on the trees and the grass is green again. It is a time to blossom and thrive. It is a perfect time for gardening. Plant vegetables and herbs and use them later for a delicious and healthy meal. The days are already becoming longer, so take advantage of the extra sunshine. Spending just a couple minutes outside will give you that little bit of Vitamin D our bodies crave. It will boost your mood and give you a moment to breathe and help you manage stress. Try having lunch outside or go for a walk in the morning. 

With each season our daily lives and routines can change. Make it a change for the better. 

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018

The transition from Halloween to the beginning of November is the start of the major holiday season. Though Thanksgiving is still a few weeks away, we are now going to be surrounded by Thanksgiving paraphernalia as well as Christmas and Hanukkah decorations, clothes, treats and specialty items. Some of us may want to get caught up in the festive feelings, while some of us are more interested in saving the celebrating for the actual holiday. Now is the time to pick a side. It will be hard for some of us, but we can’t get ahead of ourselves just yet. Holidays can be stressful enough without the added pressure of weight gain if you start giving in to baked goods, candied apples and heavy fall foods now. It is definitely easier said than done, but taking things slow and steady is the best plan right now. This time of year is exciting for so many reasons – family comes together for good food, traditions and celebrations. It is a special time that can catch us with our guard down. Focus on the time you spend with your loved ones instead of the treats and indulgences. The year will be over before you know it so decide now and commit to having the healthiest holiday season possible. 

This past weekend was also important for another reason – Daylight Saving Time ended. Though it doesn’t seem like a big deal – if anything we got one more hour of sleep! – but it signals another change in our daily lives. The one hour difference means that the sun will set earlier when the days are already getting shorter. This one hour difference doesn’t take long to adjust to, but it represents something that few of us look forward to – dark, cold winter months. Motivation can plummet and once we are wrapped in layers of sweaters and coats we don’t care much about our weight loss and how we look. Some people even experience seasonal depression, or SAD (seasonal affective depression), which can come and go during the fall and winter. Whether you experience SAD or not, we all know how this time of year can make us feel – low energy, moody, unmotivated. When we get in a funk like this, it can be hard to get back on the horse and give ourselves a fresh start. Though we can’t stop the changing of the seasons, we can prepare ourselves. Find something to keep you motivated such as an event, trip or holiday you are looking forward to. Though you may not be able to show off your body the way you would in the summer, people will still notice the change and you will feel so much better sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner knowing you are in a good place and comfortable. It can even be something as simple as fitting in to an old pair of jeans you have’t worn in years. A little bit of positivity can go a long way. 

This is also a great time of year because of all the opportunities to try new things. The weather is still perfect for getting outside – fall is a great time for running and marathons – and soon it will be perfect weather for winter activities like cross country skiing, snow shoeing, ice skating and so much more. If you would rather exercise indoors, get prepared with the proper gear, equipment and accessories. Even just adding beginner yoga or meditation will keep you feeling fit and healthy in the long winter months. This is also a great time to try new recipes and delicious fall foods like butternut squash, chili, sweet potatoes, pears, and tons of vegetables that are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Try making a hearty vegetable soup or tasty side dish. Anything you do to spice up your routine can help you stay motivated and committed.  

The year will be over before you know it so decide now and commit to having the healthiest holiday season possible.

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018