With summer flying by and kids going back to school in a week (some already back in school), your exercise schedule is all turned around and it’s hard to get it back where you had it.

Many times, I talk to people who continuously beat themselves up for not being able to get their workout program under control. Whatever the reason, stop beating yourself up and start back again.

I always recommend a plan. It seems to be easier for people to stick with a plan instead of continually putting it off. If you were able to get into regular classes you normally can’t take after summer, check out the Group Ex schedule and look at other exercise classes that pique your interest.

At our Hurley YMCA, we have classes from early morning to late in the evening. A Family Zumba class has been added on from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday with Alex Tuck.

It’s better to exercise three times a week for the rest of your life than to go crazy and quit because you overdid it or got injured. So start slowly if you haven’t done anything in a while.

I have spoken to many moms whose exercise schedule through the summer completely went away, and they kept beating themselves up for it. My response: “Did you just sit around on the couch all day long?” Of course, they reply that they didn’t and were busy with summertime activities and their children. So even though they might have not kept up their formal exercise routine, they still kept moving all summer long.

It’s all about moving and taking care of our bodies, staying in a regular exercise routine in which you make sure you move, strengthen, stretch and relax.

Stop beating yourself up if you fell off the wagon this summer. Just climb back on and get back into a regular exercise routine.

If you have been able to exercise more this summer, and I know you are feeling a whole lot better, look at other ways to continue your exercise routine on a regular basis.

Being healthy is a lifestyle. There is no end in sight; you just keep going. If you fail, just start over. Never give up.

See you at the Y.

Ester H. Marsh is health and fitness director at J.F. Hurley Family YMCA