Who would think that being back-to-school could mean fitter, healthier you? I know buying new backpacks, lunch boxes and hearing beeping school buses excites children, because for them it means new friends, new playmates. How about for adults, for mommies and daddies? These are the things that mark the end of long, lazy summer days, and a return to that more structured routine of waking up early to prepare food for the young, helping them do their homework every night, and early bedtimes.

While many of us are busier in the fall with scheduled activities than we are in the summer months, there are ways to use the return of a more rigid routine to your advantage.

Here are 3 ways back-to-school can help you and your family be more fit and healthy:

1. Early to bed, early to rise

Use your DVR to record your favorite TV shows, and then set yourself up with an earlier bedtime. Shorting yourself on sleep can lead to fatigue and stress in the short term, and diseases like diabetes and obesity in the long run. And, since you’re going to bed at an earlier hour, you’ll have no problem resetting your alarm to wake up 30 minutes early–the perfect opportunity for a morning walk, run, or yoga session.

2. No more cooking on the fly

Summer means late days at the beach or pool, and impromptu BBQs with friends. But, with school setting the fall routine, it’s a great time to get into the new habit of planning, and even cooking healthy meals ahead of time. Studies show that kids who eat regular family meals rely less on fast food, sodas, and make healthier choices when they’re out with their friends. And, if you’re eating with them, chances are you will too.

3. Build fitness into your day

Parents, yes, we all know it’s a convenient excuse to say “my kids keep me so busy there’s no time to work out.” But, exercise doesn’t stop being important just because your calendar is full. If you can’t get to the gym or pull out a workout video, then work exercise into your routine. Walk or bike your kids to school, do laps while they do drills at soccer practice, or use some of that after-dinner time for a family bike ride.

These 3 steps are not so hard to do, are they? You may even try other fit and fab ways to lose those unhealthy habits. So what’s holding you back in attaining a healthier you? Come on, shake and move — a new school year, a new fresh start for you to become the in good physical shape, hale and hearty.