bedtime routine

If your bedtime ritual is getting in the way of those skinny jeans, you're not alone! Late-night routines can ruin a day of healthy habits, winding up the scale rather than winding down your day. If you find yourself sticking to your diet throughout the day but often breaking before bed, then keep these three tips in mind to stay on track and sleep tight.

• Skip the nightcap: Although a glass of wine or your favorite cocktail might seems like the perfect nightcap to relax before bed, alcohol can disrupt your sleep, and it's not the best choice for your waistline. Many drinks are loaded with calories, and having a sip or two often leads to the munchies. Instead of winding down in a boozy way, sip on some warm milk (try it sprinkled with cinnamon), or brew a cup of herbal tea. Or skip the bevvies entirely by creating a stretching routine or practicing deep breathing through a short meditation to destress.
• Map out your morning: Taking five minutes to plan and pack for the next day will help you avoid temptations, making smart choices a no-brainer. Set yourself up for success the night before by planning breakfast and packing your gym bag. Having everything easily within reach and ready to go means one less excuse between you and your workout, and will prevent you from quickly ordering that sugary pastry at the coffee shop.
• Review your food journal: Keeping a food journal is a great way to stay accountable to your weight-loss goals. Before bed, look back on your food choices from the day, noticing where you can make simple swaps and adjustments. It is also a great reminder of your hard work, becoming motivation to keep making those healthy choices!

Between all the candy, cupcakes, cookies, and chocolate your tots eat on Valentine's Day, they might have a hard time winding down at night. A light snack may help them to snooze. The best bedtime snacks contain carbohydrates and calcium, since those foods are high in the sleep-inducing substance tryptophan. I've rounded up some great heart-shaped snacks. Check out these cute ways to cap off the day of love and get the kids sleeping soundly after the break!

Good night, sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite! If only getting lil ones down to dreamland was that easy! Children have a way of pushing their bedtime to the limits by thirsting for another drink, saying they need the bathroom and sweetly asking us to read "just one more book."

New research shows that providing tots with strict bedtimes can improve the quality and quantity of the shut-eye they receive and their overall health. According to the study, families with lower levels of income and education were less likely to enforce a strict end of the day (this was attributed to stress levels and fewer routines), and their children's health and sleep patterns suffered. The authors of the study also emphasized the importance of a nightly bedtime routine to help the tots fall asleep faster. Most parents dream their children would nod off to sleep without putting up a fight, but that rarely happens. How do you enforce bedtime in your home?

Got a few pointers you've picked up along the way for getting your tot into bed at an early time? Join our Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me? group over in our LilSugar community and share your tips!