FOOD
- Choose water over juices/coke/tea/energy drinks. Try flavoring water with frozen fruit for a sweeter taste.
- Snack on vegetables. We usually eat plenty of fruit, but not enough veggies!
- Make veggies the main focus at meals.
- Brush your teeth after a meal – can help to reduce sugar cravings, and is obviously great for dental health, too 😉
- Always have breakfast.
- Plan ahead, when possible. Whether it be just a day in advance, or at the beginning of the week.
- Be aware of portion sizes, especially for packaged snacks and foods.
- Don’t automatically turn to food for comfort.
- Eat less processed foods in general – crackers, chips, snack packs, instant meals/mixes, sauces/dressings.
- Avoid keeping “trigger” foods around – food that you could devour in 2 seconds with no self-control (anything chocolate, for me)
- This is sooo cliche, but….everything in moderation!
- Carry a water bottle everywhere – sometimes we mistake thirst for hunger.
- Include a protein, fat and carb at every meal.
- Eat without distractions – put away the phone, laptop, work, and/or TV.
- Use smaller plates.
- Make healthier food accessible – fruit bowl on the table, veggies at the front of the fridge.
- Start your day off with hot lemon water.
- If you have to have something sweet after a meal (like me…), try replacing it with a cup of hot tea!
FITNESS
- Pencil it is – it’s a date! Schedule workouts like you do any other priority.
- Do something YOU enjoy. Run, weights, group class, yoga – you do you.
- Create a playlist that gets you hyped up.
- Not in the mood to workout? Tell yourself you’ll only go for 5 minutes, then reevaluate. More than likely, you’ll keep at it for longer!
- Choose the stairs over the elevator…
- …and park farther away!!
- Have a sedentary job? Make it a point to get up every hour, even if it’s just to walk to the water fountain
- Desk exercises – tricep dips, lunges, stretching all adds up!
- Amp up one move in your workout to an “all-out pace/strength” – you know you’ve got a little extra juice in you
- Strength train at least 2-3 times/week – this has increased my speed, for all you runners 😉
- Stretch, stretch, stretch..and foam roll! Aim for at least 5-10 minutes of stretching a day.
- MOVE everyday! Even if it’s a 15-20 minute walk around a shopping center.
GENERAL
- Surround yourself with positive people. You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with
- SLEEP!!!! Don’t skimp on this. Aim for 7-8. Know when to put the phone down, turn off Netflix, or leave the party early.
- Don’t feel bad or guilty about taking care of yourself!! Invest in your health.
- End your day by doing 15-20 minutes of something that you find enjoyment in – yoga, meditation, stretching, reading, prayer, reflection, face mask, etc.
- “Detoxify” yourself from toxic house products, skincare and beauty products.
- Respect yourself and your body.
- Find some ways to treat yourself that don’t always involve food – a manicure, a bubble bath, a walk in the park, a new book.
- Get some fresh air and sunshine outside!
- Utilize a planner or a calendar to better visualize your week.