If your goal is to get healthy by the end of the year, don’t fret because you still have time. I know Fall is among us and soon the holidays will be here, but that doesn’t mean you can’t change your habits and get healthy before we say good-bye to 2015.
As you know getting healthy and being more active have been a goal of mine for some time. I try to make healthy food choices and be active as often as possible. Currently that translates into three times a week – although I would like it to be four.
I’ve come to learn that the one thing people can do to adopt healthier habits is to not give into temptation. We can have the best intentions, follow meal plans and download workouts but if we give into temptation – just one time – all that goes out the door. So why do it?
If we set super strict restrictions for ourselves the odds are we aren’t going to stick to it because it’s just too hard and too much of a change. So why not make more realistic changes. You know the saying “work smarter, not harder”? Well the same thing is true for your healthy lifestyle.
Here are three small changes that can help you be a little more healthy:
Eat half portions
This is the number one way I’ve lost weight. I eat out a lot and I’ve come to realize that take out portions are HUGE. It’s not money efficient to buy several small portions so I still buy the big portion a.k.a. the best value for your dollar, but I only eat half and put half in the fridge for my lunch tomorrow. Eating half portions saves calories and money.
Give yourself time to adapt
I’m not going to lie, eating smaller portions SUCKED the first couple of days. I was hungry in between meals, mostly between lunch and dinner, and I was very tempted to snack. However after a week my body adapted and now I can live off less food. That’s a very big belly shrinker.
Substitute your sweets
When you get cravings are you craving something sweet? I love a good piece of banana bread to fix the afternoon lull or a piece of chocolate after dinner, but eating too many sweets is a bad habit.
Believe it or not I’ve substituted my afternoon sugar cravings with rice cakes. It’s true. I buy the Quaker Chocolate Caramel rice cakes and I eat two every single afternoon. There is less sugar, fat and carbs than a chocolate bar or pastry and because of the rich flavour you’re still satisfied. It’s a win-win for both your taste buds and your waist line.
Please share you’re favorite healthy tip. I’m always looking for new ways to stay fit.
