Wake up, get the kids ready, cook breakfast, pack lunches, ride to school, drive to work, stand for eight hours, pick up the kids, go to soccer practice, cook dinner, do dishes, help with homework, shower, sleep. Just reading it all is exhausting! With so much on the average American’s plate to handle on the daily, it’s no wonder that healthy living sometimes falls to the side. Staying healthy does require constant effort, which can seem overwhelming when you consider all the other things that need immediate effort throughout the day. But the truth is that it’s not that hard to make your health a priority! Our top weight loss experts are here to share some tips that will help you live a long and healthy life.
Do Some Summer Cleaning
Keeping food lying around that you know is going to tempt you after one or two glasses of wine will not help you make your health a priority. While you may feel bad tossing them, we promise that the Oreos that have stayed in your cabinet for three weeks won’t be sad to meet the trash can. Clean up your pantry and fridge and stock only healthy items until you can form the habit of reaching for fruit over chips.
Understand That There Is Time
The number one excuse we hear for why someone is struggling to shed pounds or has a lack of energy is ‘I just don’t have time to be healthy.’ Our weight loss experts know that you’re rocking a packed schedule, but it takes just as much time to sit in the drive-thru lane at McDonald’s than it would to make a fresh salad at home. Use quiet time like your morning commute to think through what you want to accomplish this week and plan a spot to fit it into your schedule. It’ll be a habit in no time.
Form A Habit
Chasing a number on a scale is a slippery slope that you’re frankly not going to stop falling down. While results are nice and the compliments on your new svelte figure are appreciated, losing weight is not about quick fixes; it’s about forming habits. If you truly want to make your health a priority, focus on changing your existing habits slowly. It can be something as small as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or as big as making a pact to go the gym at 5:00 a.m. four times a week.
Be A Little Selfish
Don’t be afraid to be a little selfish (but obviously, keep it within reason). With kids, significant others, friends, and work obligations it can be difficult to find some you time. Being healthy starts with the mind, and if you can’t focus on yourself every now and then, you won’t be able to form new, healthy habits. It’s okay to say ‘I’ll help you with your homework after I’m done meal prepping’ or enjoy a refreshing jog once the hubby is binging Netflix. Your health is a priority, and focusing on yourself while forming new habits is a great way to improve not only your physical health but your mental as well.
