Fourth Quarter THRIVE

We desire a good schedule. We thrive when we find our groove, day to day, week to week. It’s when things are predictable and perks along with the ebb and flow of the ocean. We get our workouts in and make healthy choices day by day, week to week, until vacation or another life event happens. 

Summer is a beautiful time for us. We relax, take time off from work. Take vacations and cut back on our tight schedules. We wing it, chill out, and all the habits we created go out the window. 

We are about to wrap up summer and fall into Autumn. How do I know this? Lemonade turns to everything pumpkin spice. Now that Pumpkin time of the year is upon us, where do you stand with your health and fitness lifestyle? Yes, you know, that thing you were doing, the exercise and healthy eating you were doing before summer vacation.  

Here’s a trend we see. People who have a laid-back summer and chill, going off their schedule for a time, well, they seem to never quite get back on their game. They lose momentum. Next thing they know, it’s January 1, they are upset with themselves, feel the heaviness of the last half of the year, and now they have to start over again. Yes, starting over is hard. But I’m here to remind you, you’ve done it before, and you can do it again.

I’m going to shake the leaves off the trees. Why wait until January? Pick back up and start right now, putting your focus back on YOU and your healthy lifestyle. The longer you wait to start, the harder it is. I’m writing from experience. I’ve been there too. 

Here are a few things to think about:

• Preparing and planning with daily scribing
• Sleep schedule awareness
• Nutrition
• Hydration
• Exercise.

These are all the areas we recommend you focus on and settle back into that routine that works for you. 

Pick one thing to work on. Sleep is an excellent place to begin. Sleep is when our body restores itself. It’s recommended we get 7 to 8 hours in each night. If you want to thrive, you can’t do that for 4 to 6 hours of sleep, night after night.

Many people brag they can binge watch Netflix until all hours of the night and still get to work on time. This night owl behavior is conditioned. You are simply surviving day-to-day with this type of schedule. Let your body thrive with proper rest each night. I’m asking you to be intentional with your sleep. Finding a sleep pattern that works for you will take some effort.  

Here are a few tips that worked for me.

• Chamomile tea before bed
• Last meal at least one to three hours before bed
• Meditate
• Journaling
• Warm bath or shower
• Stay off electronic devices (computer, TV, phone) at least an hour before bed.

What’s most important is finding what works for you.

Right now, with all that’s going on in our world, self-care should be front and center. Remember, you are essential, valuable, and worthy of a fit and healthy body! Be realistic, find what works for you, what feels good, and you can do this day in day out. Be realistic, and you will be successful.

Here at the K Factor, we help you think about your new patterns of action, how it supports you and your goals and lead you down the path to success before January 1. The Fourth Quarter Thrive team will start soon. To get on board, reach out to me at thekfactorcoaching.com or email me at k.factor.coach@gmail.com