New Healthy Habits!

I have talked a lot about nutrition the past few months and as I was trying to figure out what to write about this month, attitude, excuses, procrastination kept running through my mind. We all know the things we should be doing every day to keep ourselves healthy but sometimes we get off track and can’t seem to get back on track without a nudge or even a push.

I was talking to a client today who told me why she tried the 30 Days to Healthy Living we are now offering at Totally Fit. It was because she had gotten off track and was having a hard time getting back to eating healthy. Finding what works for you is key - and the 30 Days to Healthy Living worked for her. It's important to realize that what worked before may not work this time. 

It is the same thing with working out. We can come up with a million excuses for not working out today but the reality is once you show up, you are glad you did and actually feel better.

Years ago people didn’t work out because they were more active in their daily lives. Even doing laundry was time consuming and labor intensive. Jobs were less sedentary. Now most people work at jobs where we sit all day. We don't even have to get up to make or send a copy! However, we are more stressed than ever before and really need to make the time to work out and de-stress.

Find a program that gets your serotonin levels up and the endorphins going, and you will keep coming back for more. Those feel-good hormones help to keep the cortisol levels down, which in turn helps to keep your weight down. So taking a yoga, weight training, core, balance and cardio, or maybe even a Zumba class is just what the doctor ordered.

I know old habits die hard but making new healthy habits are all good for our mind, body and spirit.
 

Weight Loss = Lifestyle Change

More people exercise in the United States than any other country, yet we still have an obesity rate of over 35%.  It is so easy to stop for fast food or cook from boxed or frozen meals, all of which are full of preservatives, chemical additives and artificial sweeteners. Chemical additives are only part of the problem with our food. The wheat, corn and soy crops used in our foods are genetically altered. Hormones and antibiotics are used in most of our meat supply. Simply put, all of these factors contribute to how well your metabolism works; the rate at which your body converts food into energy. 

How then do you begin to lose weight? 

There are a few simple changes you can make. 

1. Drink water and lots of it. You should be drinking half your body weight in water every day. For example if you weigh 140 lbs. you should be drinking 70 ounces of water. Coffee and soft drinks do not count!
2. You have all heard this before but you should shop only the outer perimeter of the grocery store. If you can, buy organic as much as possible. The benefits will outweigh the additional cost. When you stop eating the processed foods, you will notice the difference in your energy level and weight in as little as a week. But remember - changing your eating habits takes time.
3. Let’s not forget to get off the couch and get in some physical activity every day. Losing weight is 80% diet and 20% exercise. Finding what works for you and fits into your hectic schedule is a trial and error process.

When you are eating healthy and taking the time to exercise the rewards are tremendous.