Kids all over are heading back to school and “Back to School” is the theme in stores, homes, and all over social media. As an empty nester, I no longer have a back to school time in my house, but I have many friends who do and my preschool teacher job puts me smack dab in the mode. All of this got me thinking about an article I read sometime back about how actress and fitness junkie Alison Sweeney kick-starts her fitness routine each fall when her kids return to school by implementing some back to school ideas. I hunted and researched and found it thanks to Redbook.
Sweeney’s focus is fitness and exercise, but you really could use her method to achieve almost anything. Want to save money or learn a new skill? Maybe you’d like to perfect a hobby or play a sport. All you need to do according to Sweeney’s philosophy is stick to a curriculum, do your research, and study hard. Just like school, right?
Sounds easy, but Sweeney cautions and says to remind yourself that whether you’re hoping to lose five pounds or qualify for a marathon, you won’t get there overnight. Students aren’t expected to ace a test their first week or know everything off the bat, so you need to give yourself a break too. Start slow, reduce expectations, set goals, and learn ways to get where you want to be. You might want to read proven ways and study tried and true methods.
Start with your own “first day” by incorporating something teachers use to get their students motivated and in tune with what’s expected of them: a syllabus. Remember those? Projects, tests, and important dates and information are always included in these written down and handed out semester snapshots. They are basically a plan and just as they keep students on track, writing down your plan will keep you on track. Pick a start date and a goal date and then go to work. I recently started Weight Watchers and this is one of their trademarks. On Day 1 you pick a goal weight. Writing things down is also known to alleviate stress and puts your objective upfront and out front. I’m also doing something I saw online called a Plank Challenge. Each day for four weeks you do a plank, starting with 20 seconds and increasing the length of time each day or every other day. It’s all written down and I check off each day’s interval.
Another thing Sweeney suggests is getting help when you need it. Students get tutors or work with friends on projects and test prep. Walk with a friend, get a personal trainer, hire a nutritionist, join a gym, take lessons, or hire a coach. My Weight Watchers meetings achieve this goal in many ways. They of course hold me accountable, but they also offer a support system and provide a leader who serves and chief encourager and inspiration.
Something students have to face that you and I don’t are quizzes and tests. But tests are good in that they track progress and show where one needs improvement, so consider “testing” yourself by implementing mini challenges here and there. I’d like to task myself to start walking more but the weather has been so hot and I’m not one to enjoy a treadmill. Still, I’m challenging myself to figure it out and just do it in an effort to add cardio to my weekly yoga classes. Maybe you could give up sodas for a week, vow to eat more fruits, practice your piano lessons once-a-day for a week, or save more money this month than last. Whatever you choose, be sure to reward yourself with an A+ when you pass that test!
By following this creative and could-be fun approach, you might just reach your goals and graduate with honors! Best of luck to you and all the kiddos headed back to school.
Beyond Words 