So, it’s January. And I’m now regretting some of the free-for-all eating I did over the holidays. And I’m not alone! A lot of us tend to overdo it over the holidays, with the eggnog, the baking and the gigantic meals. But the new year has started, and it’s time to get back on track. Here are some quick suggestions to help you get back on the health bandwagon:
1. Stop beating yourself up! If you ate too much and gained a few over the holidays, fine. It’s done. You can’t go back and change it. All you can do is make changes moving forward, so give up the guilt.
2. Get moving! I know, we’re all busy, and we don’t have the time to exercise. But who says you have to go to a gym or run a marathon? Any movement is good for you. Just 15 minutes a day (we can all do that!), can help you lose weight, strengthen your heart and drop the pounds. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, park further away from the door, get off the bus one stop early. Or do what I do – crank up the music and dance around the living room for a while!
3. Plan your eating. It can take a bit of time, but it’s well worth it. Take a few minutes on Sunday to plan your meals for the week. Or on Friday night, before you do your grocery shopping on Saturday. When you know what you’re making, you’re less likely to make poor choices and less likely to get fat and salt filled take-out.
4. Snack. Yep, you heard me right, snack. But snack healthy. Put a container of pre-cut veggies in the fridge. Stick some almonds in your purse or the car. Keep your fridge filled with fruit and low-fat yogurt. The trick here is to not let yourself get SO hungry that your willpower runs away, and you end up eating an entire bag of cookies. If you’re hungry – eat! Just make the right choices.
Bottom line? Getting healthy is simple. Not always easy, but is simple. Eat better. Exercise. Expend more calories than you take in.
Got any other ideas? Or some inspiring weight-loss stories to share? Let us know on our Facebook page! We’d love to hear from you!
