The transition from summer to fall is one of the most challenging and chaotic of the year. We go from vacations and camp, to school, college and busy activity schedules. The weather changes and the sun sets earlier. The days feel shorter when it already feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. This is a time when we are constantly on the go and thinking about the next thing, which can mean hasty decisions and grabbing whatever is fast and easy when it’s time to eat. Now is the time to prepare and make sure we give ourselves a hand. Stock your fridge with healthy food. Cook meals ahead of time. Have snacks on hand that you can eat on the go and during your commute. Look at menus ahead of time when you know you are going out to eat. One of the best ways to fight temptation is to eliminate it – know your weak points. Whether it is late at night, after school or work or right after breakfast, be prepared for when you tend to go off your healthy plan. Stick to your exercise routine or make adjustments around your new busy schedule.

Many college students are already at school. This can be a stressful time for parents and students, whether it is their first year or they are graduating soon. Overeating is a common concern caused by the stress and anxiety of college life. Between studying, homework, classes, professors, time management, sleep schedule, social adjustment, relationships, jobs, moving or commuting, worries about the future, final exams, being homesick, graduation, etc. – students can find it hard to eat healthy, find healthy foods to eat and know what to eat. It will take some time to figure out dining halls and local places to eat, but there are always options. And if you are a member of the Innovation Online Program you can reach out to us at any time and we can find the best food options on campus for you. The important thing to remember is that eating won’t take the stress away, it will just delay it or give you relief for a few moments. Instead of turning to food, try some problem solving techniques such as making a to-do list to prioritize your tasks and work on them one by one. If procrastination is the problem, try working in a new location away from any possible distractions. If you are burnt out there’s nothing wrong with taking a break, a short nap or doing something you enjoy. Exploring your neighborhood and campus is a great way to get comfortable with your surroundings and get your body moving. If you ever need help, reach out to a parent, friend, family member, professor or advisor. Find what works for you and have a healthy and successful school year!

For most younger kids, today is their first day of school. Make them a part of lunch prep – they can help plan their lunches with your guidance. Whether it’s our PB and J bites, a turkey sandwich on white bread or whatever they love, including them in packing their lunch can help them learn about healthy eating and give them confidence and independence. One important thing you can remind them of is that just because they are back to school that doesn’t mean the outdoor fun is over. Spend time outdoors after school and on the weekends as long as the weather is nice. You can pick fruit at a farm, attend a concert or sporting event, see a movie at a theater or outdoors, have a family barbecue or picnic, go to the park or beach one last time, and the list goes on. It’s a great way to connect and regroup as a family as the school year takes over.

There are many of us who wish that summer would never end, and how could we not? It would be great to always be on vacation or away at camp. Living completely carefree and not worrying about the consequences. But the reality is you had your fun and now it’s time to get serious, take care of your health and body both physically and mentally – the only way to do that is to get back on program 100%. There is a great deal to look forward to in the upcoming months and if you start now you will be in a good place in time to enjoy the next Holiday season. The first days of September and the fall season is an exciting time of opportunity, new beginnings and unknown potential. Build a strong and healthy momentum now and make September a successful month for you and your family that will continue through the rest of the year.

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018

It is already almost half way through August and it is starting to feel like the end of summer is approaching. Even though we will have warm, mild weather through September and maybe even part of October, soon we will be back to our busy schedules. Work, school, college, homework, sports and the holiday season will be here before we know it.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet. August may feel like we are running towards a finish line, but there is still so much that can be done and so much to reflect on that can help us stay healthy for the rest of the year and beyond.

When it comes to our fitness and body image, summer really exposes our true feelings and priorities. We can’t hide, and we want to feel and look our best in bathing suits and short sleeves. But as the weather changes and we add on the layers, we can feel like it’s okay to let things go a little. We accomplished our goals and had a successful summer, so we may find that our will power and motivation start to disappear. But this just means that it’s time to adjust and re-evaluate. Do you want to stay inside this fall and winter, feeling heavy and bloated? Or do you want to feel healthy and in control, even through the holidays? Decide where you want to be now, not 3 months from now when you are trying to undo all the unhealthy choices you wish you hadn’t made.

The truth is, summer is different from the rest of the seasons. We have more time and are more carefree. We are in a positive mindset, the sun is shining and we feel good so we want to eat good. But as the year goes on and we move into fall and winter, things change. So start now and make a new plan. Your goals can be the same but with changing schedules, seasonal foods and weather conditions there need to be some adjustments. Change up your routine – try new restaurants or recipes, new workouts or classes, or any way you want to switch it up. Or it can be as simple as adjusting your current routine – if you run or walk outside, be prepared to head inside or get the right gear so you can keep going through any weather. If you know you will be on the go all the time, whether you are in the car or taking the train, start to think about meals and snacks you can take with you. It will be one less thing to think about and preparing ahead of time makes it that much easier to follow though.

Make sure to keep it consistent and commit. Food and exercise are the tools that get you there, but at the end of the day it’s up to you to make it happen. Transitioning from summer to fall can be physically and mentally draining, so don’t let your health take a back seat. Finding what works for you and staying healthy year round takes work but it is always worth it.

Eating clean and living a healthy lifestyle is about more than looking good in a bathing suit. It’s about more than being fit for just the few months of summer. It is about making healthy changes that stick and learning to eat, drink and live in a new way that makes us feel happy, healthy, accomplished and in control.

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018

Dining out or ordering in from a restaurant can help save time and energy on a busy night, but it can also make it hard to find the right dish that fits into your weight loss plan. It can be difficult to navigate a menu full of sauces, pastas, cheeses, breads, and fried foods. But you still have a choice. Don’t think a meal is out of your control because you’re picking from a menu that wasn’t make with your fitness in mind. Here are some tips for eating outside your home.