I love the start of a new month, because it’s an opportunity to get a fresh start.

January is over, and that means lots of people who started the New Year with the best intentions have already given up on their exercise program.

That’s not you, right?

Even if it is … you and you ALONE have the power to change it.

You have the power to make a new decision.

If we’ve learned anything over the past two years, it’s that the No. 1 factor in preventing illness – and avoiding negative outcomes from getting sick – is maintaining a proper exercise plan, supportive diet, and healthy weight.

Not to mention the fact that exercise improves our mood and emotional health.

But what can you do if you’ve fallen off track?

Diving headfirst into an intense exercise regimen may not be the best choice.

It doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing proposition.

Morning Routine: Make a decision to wake up a few minutes earlier and do a mindful meditation or 10 minutes of movement. You’ll be surprised by how dramatically this can improve the tone of your day.

Exercise Snacking: If you don’t have time for a full-blown workout routine, enjoy some exercise “snacks” throughout the day. A few squats here, lunges there, push-ups and sit-ups will add up over the course of the day.

Be Prepared: You know the expression … failing to plan is planning to fail. If you know you’ve got a busy day ahead, pack some healthy snacks (fruit and veggies, protein powder, hard-boiled eggs) so that when the hunger crash comes, you’ll have options that support your healthy lifestyle instead of reaching for chips or a candy bar.

So if things didn’t go as planned in January, what are you going to do this month so you can get a fresh start?