As the new year approaches, we often reflect on what goals we may have and what changes we’d like to make in our lives. The older I am getting the more I realize how important health is to a happy life. I encourage everyone to take at least 1 step towards a healthier you in this year. On that note, I have some great tips on 10 ways to get healthy and stay healthy.
Tips To Get Healthy Stay Healthy
It’s the most wonderful time of the year (but my pants don’t seem to think so!). Now before we jump into ways to get healthy and stay healthy during the holidays, take time to remember your reason for the season. Think about what the importance of the season is for YOU. Being centered is a great place to start. Now, here are ten tips to help you enjoy the holidays and the new year while making healthy choices.
Eat nutrient dense foods
Make sure you are loading up your body with nutrient dense whole foods every day. Try and get rid of as much processed foods as you can, and get in a big salad daily and/or a green smoothie. You may also want to build some immune boosting foods into your diet.
Hydrate
Make sure to drink a lot of water throughout the day, and especially while out. This will help you feel good. Also being dehydrated can lead to cravings, so hydrate!
Exercise
Get at least 30 minutes of some form of exercise in daily, especially the morning of and definitely the day after a party/event. This will increase endorphins making you feel fabulous and it sets you up to want to make your day the best it can be, and help with stress! *Bonus tip – plan! What workouts will you be doing and when? Put it in your schedule. Make it a priority.
Start your day off right
Start your day with healthy, whole foods for breakfast. I love to have smoothies for weight loss or oats with berries and almond butter. Do not start your day with processed foods & added sugar.
Leave leftovers
Do you really need to bring anything home? Nope. It can be tempting, but just don’t do it. Party at your house? Give others leftovers. Allowing yourself not to eat all the leftovers just because they are there is a great step to be healthy, stay healthy.
Practice the power of NO
YES! It is completely okay to say no! You can say no to the cookie exchange. You can say no to a party. Don’t ever feel that you need to do anything. It is your life. Just smile and say, “No thanks” to more food, dessert, etc. Saying “nope” is a healthy way to set boundaries and respect your limitations.
Choose better drinks
Listen…I get it! A beverage definitely helps calm your nerves when the stress hits. Try not to go too crazy with the drinks. Stay away from the sugary drinks, and even stay away from diet sodas (sketchy ingredients). Some better options: club soda, vodka, and lime (choose club soda over tonic), red wine, champagne.
Make A Weekly Menu Plan
I have found that by planning out my weekly menu ahead of time it helps me stick to using ingredients that I know I have, or have purchased for the week. We order out a lot less because of that, and can eat healthier as a result. You can also save money by planning your menu around what your local market has on sale.
Step On The Scale
Stepping on the scale and measuring yourself is a good idea, but not too often. If you do this daily, you just might get discouraged as weight can fluctuate, even when you are doing everything right. Take measurements and weight once a week, and keep a log on your progress. Seeing it in writing is great incentive.
Let go of perfection
It’s hard to not want everything to be perfect. We’re surrounded by so many things telling us how our lives should be. Let go of the should. Let go of the comparing. Know that for every “perfect” photo your friends are sharing on social media, there are 10 others not perfect ones (i.e. the reality) going on behind the scenes.
Conclusion
achieving and maintaining good health is a lifelong journey that involves making smart, consistent choices. By focusing on balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, adequate rest, and mental well-being, anyone can build a strong foundation for lasting health. Small steps taken today—like choosing a healthy meal or going for a walk—can lead to big changes over time. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection, but progress. Stay committed, stay motivated, and you’ll not only get healthy—you’ll stay healthy for years to come.
Use these tips for the holidays and beyond and watch some magic begin to happen in your life! Remember that mindset is going to be the MOST IMPORTANT part of all of this. Remember your goals and your vision. YOU GOT THIS. Now, go enjoy the holidays and the new year, guilt-free. Which of these ways to get healthy and stay healthy do you think you will adopt first?
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