Your desire to take better care of your body (so you can feel better and do more) has been a hard one to fulfill. When you’re in a rut, it’s easy to stay there, and with the habit in place, do you really have the energy to make a complete 180?
Start doing a few simple things, like the seven we have here, and you’ll be headed in the right direction in no time.
Eat Out Less--
You may have a hundred excuses for eating out. It’s hard to cook for one person. This is the only time you have to relax. My groceries will go bad quickly. It’s the best way for me to get out and socialize.
You’ve thought them all, but they can be defeated. All it takes is a little practice. So maybe don’t stop eating out completely, but cut out 1-3 meals. Pick something easy to shop for (groceries don’t have to break the bank either) and easy to cook. You’ll find that preparing a meal can be a relaxing change from your usual stresses, and you can take turns with your friends to double up on home-cooked meals.
Take Breaks More Often--
When you’re at work, it can be easy to work through breaks and lunch. But research has shown that taking those breaks improves your productivity, helping your concentration and creativity.
Use your break time to meditate for a few minutes, take a nap if you’re able to, go outside, or simply unplug from tech. By giving yourself time to refresh, you can better sustain your energy levels throughout the day.
Restrict Screen Time--
It’s easy to get caught up in your Twitter feed, and before you know it, you’ve spent an hour with your eyes glazed over. It’s time to get back to a healthy restriction from technology. You may have a rough time for awhile, so start with something small.
Only check social media for 10 minutes in the morning. Don’t watch your current Netflix binge while eating dinner. You might even designate the evening hours right before bed to be tech-free.
Use this time to read a book or catch up with a friend. This will help you sleep better, think better, and interact better with others.
Find Alternatives to Problem Foods--
Everyone has a few indulgent foods and some food staples that might not be the best for their bodies. These foods can often get in the way of healthy changes you are trying to make. Whatever they may be, start by finding alternatives to one or two of them.
Instead of cow’s milk, try out an almond or rice milk in your cereal and cooking. If you can’t go a day without a chocolate-covered granola bar, find a better bar that provides more nutrition with a hint of the sweetness you crave. If you love potatoes, look up simple healthy potato recipes that incorporate them into your diet in a better way.
Making small changes will give you the time to figure out how they fit into your lifestyle without feeling like you’re being denied something great.
Be Active for 5 Minutes at a Time--
It’s easy to justify staying on the couch when you’re already there, soaking in its softness. But when that thought pops into your head saying you should get moving, you should listen. That doesn’t mean you need to gear up for a 5k.
But you should try to be active for 5 minutes at a time. You may just stand up and test your range of motion, getting some good stretches in. You may have a set of stairs to go up and down 3-5 times before getting back to business. Even a leisurely walk down the street or around your building will help your body to feel better and more capable.
Enlist a Buddy--
All of this may sound great right now, but when it comes time to act, the first step is still the hardest. Talk to a friend about taking on some of these challenges with you. You’ll have someone to hold you accountable and motivate you, and it if you’re struggling, they’ll be able to empathize, too.
Be Consistent--
The most important thing with each of these is to be consistent. Anyone can do any of these things once, but that won’t make much of a difference in the long run. You’re serious about making changes though, so take the small steps to make those changes easier. It may feel like a small sacrifice, but remember that each thing you do will also empower you to keep moving forward.
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