“Be healthier”. “Eat more vegetables.” “Exercise more often”. Those lines were probably a goal for the new year for everyone at some point in their lives. But, as the year went on we ate less vegetables, exercised less often, and became unhealthier. What causes the gradual decline in interest?
Becoming a “healthier you” is a popular topic nowadays. We all want to learn how to melt that belly fat and boost our metabolisms. Seriously though, do we even know what metabolisms are? It’s easy to type “how to loose weight fast” on Google and scan a few articles that all pretty much say the same thing. We want a quick fix, but sometimes, not all of our problems can be resolved in the snap of a finger.
Becoming healthier is more than just chugging down thick protein shakes and spending hours grinding away on the treadmill. It takes time, patience, and dedication.
Food matters
It is pointless to spend an hour at the gym if you are going to go grab a few donuts after your workout. Food matters a lot more than you think. There are many trends going around, as far as diets go. I cannot show you a “miracle diet” that will make your skin glow and help you meet the love of your life and make your life perfect, because a "one-size-fits-all miracle diet" does not exist. But, I can tell you to take the time to research food and nutrition. Get your facts straight. There are many lies out there when it comes to diets, but it’s up to you to figure out what works for you. In addition, dieting is not always the answer. It’s convenient to do a 7 day juice fast, but have you tried just trying to eat healthier everyday. Don’t put a time limit on your eating habits. Consistence is key.
Exercise does not have to be boring
Exercise has become that “thing” that a lot of people seem to hate. I understand why some people dislike exercise because they think that they have to go to the gym to workout. The gym can be monotonous, but exercise does not have to be dull. I recently started rock climbing and I love it. It’s fun and it has made me stronger physically and mentally. Try to find what works for you. Maybe you’ll find that you enjoy cycling or ice skating or even mountain biking. Explore exercise options around your town. You never know what you might find.
If you don’t have a good reason to become healthier than you will have a hard time committing to being healthier
Becoming healthier should mean more than just getting a six pack or having prettier legs. Being healthier should mean becoming happier. Six packs and prettier legs are just an extra bonus of being healthier. We should all have a good reason to be healthier. For some, it could mean trying to have more energy everyday and feeling better overall. For others it could be simply wanting to be around for their families longer in the future. It’s important to assess why it is you want to be healthier because if you don’t have something to motivate you then it will be harder for you to commit.
Sleep is essential
Getting quality shut-eye is crucial for your body. While you sleep, your body is repairing itself. If you are not getting quality sleep, you might want to look into figuring out how to change that. You might have to sleep with more pillows, invest in a new mattress, keep your room darker, or even try downloading an app on your smartphone that produces sounds (rain, beach waves, thunder, etc) to help you sleep better.
Don’t forget about your brain health!
Your brain is an essential part of your body, so it should be obvious to keep it healthy as well. There are many things you can do to keep your brain fit.
1. Turn off the technology
Technology can be mind-numbing. It’s very easy to tune out and mindlessly point and click on TV show episodes and movies on Netflix. Take a break every once in a while. Or better yet, limit yourself to a certain amount of time on the internet a day.
2. Try puzzles and games
Soduku, word searches, crossword puzzles, card games, and board games are a great way to relax and use your brain.
3. Exercise
Many studies have shown how great exercise is for your health because it increases blood flow to your brain.
4. Listen to Music
Try whipping out those headphones and listening to a nice playlist. You might want to explore different styles of music. You never know if you might fall in love with classical or jazz.
5. Challenge your brain
Our brains need to learn new things in order to become stronger. Try to make it a goal to learn something new every month. You could try learning a new language (that might take longer than a month), learn to play a musical instrument, or even take free online college courses on a subject that interests you.
6. Read
I cannot even begin to tell you how beneficial reading is for your head. Try reading some non-fiction as well.
7. Create
Painting, drawing, sculpting, carpentry, knitting, crocheting, sewing, design, and writing are some examples of ways to start creating. Creating allows your mind to think out of the box and be creative. You never know what you might come up with. If you're stuck on what to create try making something you pinned on one of your Pinterest boards but you never got around to it.
Make a plan
Ok, now that you have some ideas about being healthier, it’s time to make a plan. If you jump into this new lifestyle blindly you’ll probably trip a few times. First, do some research. Find out healthier food options and change the way you eat. Throw out all of the junk you should not eat. You can’t eat junk if you don’t keep it around. Plan breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, and some desserts. Carry around snacks when you go out so that you don't get tempted to grab a candy bar. Eating nutritiously is more than just eating some lettuce like a little rabbit, trust me. There are tons of great recipes online. Next, explore exercise options. Don’t try to focus on exercising a certain amount of time, but focus on being more active. Try to find something that works for you. Then, find your reason to be healthier. Having a good reason helps you focus on why it is you're doing this. Next, get some sleep! Last, but not least, work that brain of yours. Brain health is super important as well.
It’s easy to forget that health is more than just looking good on the outside. Food, sleep, exercise, and brain health all matter as well. Being healthier is not an insurmountable goal. It is attainable with some planning and commitment. Good luck!
-Amanda
