We all want the key to becoming healthy, but it seems like such a hefty goal. Setting out to make healthy changes in our life can always feel simultaneously inspiring and daunting. You probably ask yourself all the time, where do I even start? But do you need to overhaul your entire life to achieve this goal? The answer is no. Seriously, sis. When it comes to adopting new lifestyle habits and making them stick, there are lots of little tweaks you can do that will make a big difference in the grand scheme of things.
It’s essential to determine what your goals are. Are you trying to avoid health problems, like constant sickness and decreased energy? Are you trying to sleep better, reduce medications, or train for a marathon? Whatever the reason, once you’ve identified it, you will have an easier time sticking to a routine.
Instead of trying to upgrade your life with a drastic overhaul makeover, try these nine small, virtually painless ideas instead.
Here are nine tips for making a meaningful change:
Focus on healthy lifestyle changes
Healthy weight management isn't about depriving or starving yourself. When you deny yourself, it does the opposite. It will only make you want food more trust. You need to set realistic goals.
Setting unachievable goals will only result in disappointment and may cause you to give up, wherever you are in your journey. Whichever small step you’ve taken toward a goal, the closer you are to happiness and success.
Set a goal that has nothing to do with weight
For instance, maybe you have an event coming up and you have an outfit that you love, but has historically been too small. Or perhaps you want to keep up with your kids or family without getting fatigued or winded. Goals focused on healthy living are more sustainable than those driven only by seeing those numbers drop on the scale.
Plate your meals backward
People often pile on the carbs, then add little amounts of protein and vegetables in whatever space is left. Instead, do it in reverse. Fill half your plate up with leafy greens and vegetables, then divide the remaining quarters between protein like chicken, lean ground beef or fish, and starch made up of complex carbohydrates instead of refined ones, like brown rice or quinoa.
Engage in daily workouts
The more exercise becomes part of your daily life, the simpler it will be to power through a grueling workout, sis. If you have time, exercise in the morning, before you have time to come up with a good excuse to back out. Pro Tip: Laying out your exercise clothes the night before or even sleeping in them can also be beneficial in making sure you get up and workout.
Adopt habits you can keep
As you embark on any weight loss journey keep in mind, you will become impatient and uncomfortable at first. But, this is a lifestyle change, not a diet remember? The problem with most weight loss programs is that they aren't sustainable for the average person. Maintaining a balanced diet or following the 80/20 is imperative to help you stick with your new lifestyle long-term.
Adopt new habits slowly
If you are a coffee snob like me, you know how vital your morning latte is and you probably won't want to give it up. If you can't budge on this, try having it with non-fat milk and sugar-free flavoring. It might seem tedious at first, but in a few weeks, you’ll get used to it.
Enlist support from family and friends
This is probably the most important tip for success I can give you. Even if your family isnt in on it with you, they should be your support system. They can be there to encourage you and hold you accountable.
Stock your kitchen with good foods
Before you head to the grocery store, include a specific list of foods, so that you can get in and out with a purpose. I like to follow the golden rule of only shopping the inside aisles of the stores, and avoid the outside aisles (which more than likely contain tons of processed foods.)
Set a specific start date
You know the saying, there's no time like the present. Well, it's right in this case. You don’t want to wait for that perfect moment to start taking care of yourself because guess what? It may never come. Start now, start proud and get to crushing those goals, sis.
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