How to Succeed with a Healthy Lifestyle Change

HOW TO SUCCEED WITH A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHANGE

Our main goal here is to help as many people as possible change their life for the better by living a healthy lifestyle. We know it’s hard and overwhelming but we also know it is SO WORTH IT! We also understand that not everyone can just change their entire lives overnight and that is okay too!

We’re talking about the “gradual shifters” here – those who cannot just change everything all at once. Gradual shifters can still be very successful…small, manageable changes add up to big results. There are many different things that affect your optimal health and weight loss so just pick ONE thing to focus on doing better every few weeks. Below are some ideas:

1. Eat REAL Food

• Avoid processed foods. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store. Try to avoid processed foods for a few days and see how much better you feel! Buy fresh meat and produce. It might take a little extra time to prepare your own food but it is definitely worth it!

2. Drink Water

• Have a soda habit? Kick that habit to the curb! Try switching out one soda a day for water and then slowly let go of them completely. A bonus: It will save you money!

3. Move More

• Work more movement into your daily routine. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, park far away from the building, walk on your lunch break, etc. Even if you can’t make it into a gym 5 days a week you can still start moving more! Look for something to help you keep track of your steps (or lets you know when you’ve been sitting for too long!).

Take a look at your goals and make sure they are S.M.A.R.T.

• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Realistic/Relevant
• Timely

You may have already written your goals for the year but you can always modify them! It is sometimes best to break them down into “baby steps”! Below are a few examples:

Overall Goal: Lose 50 lbs in 2015

That sounds like a pretty big goal, which is great, but break it down so that you can celebrate the small victories too! Change or modify that goal to say lose 4-5 lbs a month. Doesn’t that sound much more achievable?

Overall Goal: Eat healthier in 2015

That is a great goal and probably at the top of everyone’s list…but it’s very broad! How are you going to do it? Do you have a plan? Break it down and say that instead of eating out 3 times per week you will only eat out once. Or that you will prepare your food in advance so you always have healthy food available. Your goals need to be measurable so that you feel like you accomplished something!