December left me drained.  Emotionally, physically, and socially drained. So where do you find a spark when you lack motivation? I know the easiest way to create motivation is routine.  I need to get back into a routine fast. Routines lead to habits, and habits lead to lifestyle changes.  Maybe this month I will only get back into a routine in a few areas of my life, but at least that’s lighting the fuse.

1. Get more sleep. With kids, heading back to school automatically lends itself to regular sleep, and for the most part, mealtime schedules.

2. Clean up our meals & snacks.  The saying goes, “abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym”, and the dietitian in me knows it’s true.

Check out the Out of Milk App – load reusable shopping lists on to your phone, stick to them, and you are well on your way to cleaner eating.  Just having food in the fridge at home decreases the chance of stopping for fast food or pizza when mealtime comes calling (or in the case of kids, whining). Cook Eat Paleo has one of the better unprocessed lists I’ve come across, albeit too restrictive for some (side note: I have tried and cannot stand egg white powders). If you aren’t interested in buying all organic, look up the dirty dozen+ and clean fifteen at EWG.

3. Get more water. Start your day with a glass of water. Find a water bottle/jug/cup and carry it with you everywhere.  Refill it. Refill it again.  

4. Start the day on the right side. Find some quiet time (which may mean waking a little earlier – cringe).  Hide in the shower, read with a cup of coffee, meditate, or play music while you get everyone awake and ready.  Mommas, we set the tone of our home whether we want to or not.

I love Good Morning Girls, and they happen to be starting a study this week.  No materials or homework required!