Ho, Ho… How are the holidays already here!
The holiday season is a wonderful time to reflect on what’s most important to us. Family, friends and definitely health!
Our last blog covered holiday health and how to survive the holidays. The big take away was moderation. One meal will not hinder your progress but avoiding holiday traditions for the sake of weight loss weighs on you mentally. With that said, I hope you had a big plate at Thanksgiving and then went to the gym Friday morning!
Today, lets look at 10 Tips over the next 10 days to try. These tips are for anyone who is trying to lose some weight or just get healthier.
Tip 1: Start Today!
It’s very easy to get caught up in the New Year, New Me movement but honestly why wait. No better time than today to start improving your health.
Tip 2: Get Educated
Taking action is important but making the right choices are even more important. Take some time out to do proper research on weight loss and healthy eating referencing credible sources such as the American Heart Association, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans or Eatright.org or talk to a professional such as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
Tip 3: Make Time for Exercise
Movement is movement. You do not have to be a gym goer in order to get in the minimally recommend 150 minutes of exercise per week. Walk around the park, take the dog out, hit the stairs in your building or use the countless free apps and videos on YouTube. But get in motion!
Tip 4: Plan Ahead
It is not necessary to plan everything you eat or prep every meal. However, making a list when going to the market can be a game changer. When you have the materials needed for a healthy meal it is much easier to cook one.
Tip 5: Add 1 Healthy Habit
Focus on one habit that would be most beneficial. Maybe it’s exercise, maybe it’s bringing lunch to work or maybe it’s cooking dinner at home. Whatever is the most healthy thing you can do, focus on that one task and make it an established habit come the new year.
Tip 6: Remove 1 Unhealthy Habit
The opposite of tip 6 but with the same idea. Do you drink soda, order in dinner, drink a bottle of wine a day? Think of one habit that would make a big impact on your health if it was gone and focus on keeping it out.
Tip 7: Beauty Sleep
Poor decisions are made when we are tired. Energy is low when we are tired. Exercise seems impossible when we are tired. Mood is better when we sleep. Stress is down when we sleep. Recovery happens faster when we sleep. So Sleep!
Tip 8: Stay Accountable
My favorite activity is crossing something of a list. The satisfaction! Maybe you use a journal, create a checklist or tell a friend how you are doing. Either way, making sure you stay on top of your healthy habits early will eventually make them easier to maintain.
Tip 9: Focus on Small Victories
Do not fixate on the end goal. Focus on today. Did I get a good nights sleep? Did I pack a healthy lunch? Did I make it to the gym? Did I cook dinner? All these little daily victories will pile up and result in weekly progress!
Tip 10: Enjoy the Holidays
When the big days arrive and the family is gathered, please enjoy your traditions! Don’t hide in the corner, be part of the joy!
Happy Holidays!
