By Heather Nicholds
Small changes to break the routine can really help both mentally and physically when you’re trying to stick to a healthy diet plan and an exercise program. Taking a little break (like over the holidays) can give you renewed motivation.
But the key is that you have to get back on track afterwards.
I normally do some cardio exercise in the morning before breakfast – either running or interval circuits inside. I haven’t been doing it over the holidays partially as a break, but also because outside has been wet and muddy and inside is too loud for people still sleeping.
Today I did some cardio inside, to pound the floor as a wake-up call for my sister-in-law (although it turned out she was already awake). Taking a break is good sometimes, but getting back to it this morning reminded me how much better I feel for the rest of my day when I start myself off with some exercise.
Not only is exercise good for burning calories, but it gets your digestive system working to process the food you eat more efficiently. I love working up an appetite for breakfast. It doesn’t have to be strenuous exercise – even walking will do the job.
Exercise in the morning is also good for waking up the glandular system, especially the adrenals. If you have adrenal fatigue (something that’s really common with all the stress, caffeine and sugar going around), exercise in the morning can make a big difference to your energy levels.
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Your body’s lymphatic system (includes your immune system and the filtration of toxins) runs of physical energy, so the fitter you are the more efficiently it will work. This one’s more to do with muscular fitness, but cardio ties in too.
In a broader sense, changing your routine in any way can get you thinking differently. Whether you want to try cutting out caffeine, calling family every weekend, going for a walk after meals, taking the 28 day healthy meal plan, or tackling any goal you want to accomplish – they’re all ways of changing your routine. Changing and adapting are how we learn and grow.
What change do you find helpful to break the routine? Let me know below.
