The fall is in full swing which means that we are busy with back to school activities, holiday planning, and much more. It's very easy to let life take over in regards to your health--physically, spiritually, and emotionally-- during this time and before we know it, we're standing in January wondering where these new 10 pounds came from, the bags under our eyes, and all those chocolate covered pretzels went!

I want you to know that you don't have to find yourself in that spot! There are some great things you can implement right now that help you through this crazy time. Here are some of my best tips!

Exercise

Think outside the box a little bit! Since the weather is more than likely cooler, and the environment is beautiful, then get outside! Have your kids join you, or ask a friend to come! I created this pumpkin routine that would be an easy option for you to do in your backyard. You can also walk, jog trails, or sprint. Don't forget the list of resources that are here on The Better Mom: The Swingset Slimmer Workout, The "Everyday Household" Workout, and a "Full Body Functional" Workout to name a few! I've got quite a few quick routines for the busy mom, so be sure to check those all out! The early bird catches the worm, so if you have a full day like me, then get that workout in before the house gets up! You won't regret it!

(This is page 2 of 2, so be sure to follow the link to get the other part!)

Eating

Truth be told, this is where most of us get in trouble. It's not the lack of exercise but the abundance of food during this season. Ahh! I find that having great swap-outs really help me when I'm surrounded by food. Don't get me wrong--I'm not one of those people who doesn't enjoy any of the seasonal foods-it's just that it must be in balance. God created our bodies to function a certain way and many times we live in an extreme in this area.

Here are some of my favorite ways to swap out, or sneak in some tasty treats without killing my balance!

Smoothies: I love so many--fruit, peanut butter, chocolate, vanilla--and lately, pumpkin! Here is a recipe for one!

Treats: These are SO YUMMY and you can put them in molds/cupcake liners for whatever season you are shooting for!

Crunchy & Sweet: Apple nachos are a great option for something sweet and crunchy and I almost ALWAYS have all the ingredients!

Salty: Homemade popcorn is awesome! I love using coconut oil and a little bit of salt. If you find yourself needing something crunchy and salty, then whip some of these up!

Spiritual

It's very easy for our days to start running us isn't it? When that happens, a whole bunch of things go down the shoot and we're left unmotivated, defeated, and still with a laundry list of things to do! I find that starting my morning off with about 15 minutes of peace and quiet helps. I do my quiet times here and also a quick to-do list for the day. I pray over all that and that helps set the tone for the day.

Sometimes the early morning doesn't work well as kids get up earlier than expected, or you hit that snooze. When this happens, I try to grab 10-15 minutes whenever I can. I find that having this space is crucial to my day. To fill in the gaps, I keep positive music on when I can. God has used some songs at just the right time to lift my spirits! I use my computer and smartphone to help me in both these areas. I use the K-Love app (and website) along with many podcasts to keep me going. (The Village Church, Focus on the Family, and Family Life are some of my favorites)

Don't forget to exercise your servant heart, either! The fall is a great time to bake some goodies for a neighbor or friend, or have someone over for coffee or tea! Giving of ourselves is a SURE way to fill us back up!

Finally, I want to mention that tomorrow (Thursday, October 24th) at 10pm EST, my keynote address from the Women Living Well conference, on the topic of Health will be released! I would LOVE to have you join me for a facebook party on my page, starting at 9pm EST! I share with you what I really want you to know about health and being a Christian but more importantly, I want you to hear from the other ladies on the couch as we discuss how our health plays out a little differently for each of us!