Don't Wait Until September to Get Back On Track

Every year it happens.

Summer is almost over. Vacations are just about wrapped up, and people start saying,

"I'll get serious in September."

But here's the problem...

September isn't a fresh start

.

It's one of the busiest months of the year for parents.

Kids are back in school.

Sports start.

Schedules get busier.

Work gets insane.

Homework is back.

You're trying to remember who has soccer on Tuesday, dance on Wednesday, and whose turn it is to pack lunches.

If you wait until September, you're trying to build new habits during one of the most stressful times of the year.

From my experience, both as a parent and from coaching clients for over 20 years, this is one of the hardest ways to start.

The problem isn't that September is busy.

The problem is that you're asking yourself to create a brand-new routine when life is already demanding more from you.

That's why I think August is actually the better time to get started.

Not because you need to be in amazing shape before school starts, but because you want to build some momentum.

Build the Habit Now

You want to build the habit of consistency when it comes to exercise.

Consistency is what helps you achieve your goals, but it's also what keeps you going when life inevitably gets busy.

And trust me—it will.

There will be mornings you sleep through your alarm.

A kid will get sick.

Work will run late.

Plans will change.

That doesn't mean you've failed.

It just means life happened.

When you've already built the habit, it's much easier to get back on track.

Instead of waiting until September, start now.

Go for a walk every day or hop on your bike. Better yet, do it with your family. It's a great way to get everyone moving while spending time together.

Strength train twice a week. You don't need five workouts to get started. Two 30-minute sessions are a great way to rebuild the habit.

Start meal prepping again. It doesn't have to be every meal. Even preparing lunches or dinners a couple of days ahead can make your week much less stressful.

Get your sleep back on track. Summer often means later nights, vacations, campfires and sleeping in. Start easing back into a regular bedtime now so the transition into September isn't such a shock.

Don't overhaul your life.

Just dust off the habits that you know work.

Keep Expectations Low

This is a BIG one.

Your goal isn't perfection.

We're all human.

We're all busy.

And if you're a parent, you already know that your schedule can change in a matter of minutes.

If you miss a workout because your child gets sick or something unexpected comes up, don't let one missed day turn into a missed week.

Just wipe the slate clean and start fresh the next day.

One missed workout won't stop your progress.

Quitting altogether will.

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

Consistency will always beat perfection.

Remember Why You're Doing This

Exercise isn't just about losing weight or looking better.

It's about having enough energy to:

• Coach soccer.

  
  

• Help with homework.

  
  

• Chase your kids around the park.

  
  

• Pick them up without your back hurting.

  
  

• Still have something left in the tank for yourself at the end of the day.

That's what we're really training for.

My Challenge to You

Over the next two weeks, pick one or two of these habits and commit to them.

Not forever.

Just for two weeks.

• Walk for 20 minutes every day.

  
  

• Strength train twice per week.

  
  

• Drink more water.

  
  

• Get outside twice a day, even if it's only for 10 minutes.

  
  

• Meal prep either lunch or dinner for the week.

  
  

Keep it simple.

The goal isn't to do everything.

The goal is to start building momentum before September gets here.

Final Thoughts

Don't wait until life slows down.

Because it won't.

There will always be another busy week, another holiday, another birthday, another work deadline or another reason to put your health on hold.

Start now.

Build the habits while life is a little less hectic.

Then, when September arrives, you won't be starting from scratch.

You'll already have momentum.

And sometimes, that's the difference between sticking with it... and waiting until January.