15 Easy Healthy Choices You Can Make Everyday
It’s refreshing to see that in the last ten years our culture has moved further away from calorie counting, carb watching, and scale weight and very much more toward overall healthy living. The embracing of wellness, fitness, and health is a trend that’s been long overdue. You’re less likely to hear that someone is on a diet than you are that they are being more mindful.
Now that’s a “diet” we can all afford to be on.
Whether you’re taking your first steps toward a lifestyle makeover or need to check-in and make some adjustments, here are 25 ways you can make healthier choices every single day.
1. No menu extremes. Anytime a menu describes something as the ultimate, bottomless, or platter, you’re getting too much of something your don’t need. Stick to trimmer, more realistic servings that aren’t smothered and piled high.
2. Give up mayo. It’s not that it’s that bad for you, it’s just that there’s something that accomplishes the same thing and does so with better flavor and while being better for you. Spread fresh avocado instead of mayo on your next sammy.
3. Hydrate! You hear it all the time so maybe start doing it. Drink more water. There’s no specific rule for how much, just stay ahead of thirst. Drink water in place of most anything else and you’ll feel the difference in almost every aspect.
4. Get your Zs. You really do need about eight hours of sleep each night, so how much are you depriving yourself of? Try going to bed or waking up 30 minutes early, and add 10 minutes to each end until you optimize your schedule.
5. …And do it screen free. Ditch the screens about half an hour before bed to give your brain a rest. You’ll be surprised how much easier you fall asleep and how much better you do sleep.
6. Do a purge… of all the junk in your house! Change toothbrushes, hairbrushes, mattresses, kitchen sponges, makeup brushes, flip flops, running shoes, yoga mats, and anything else that’s “expired” without your knowing.
7. Move. Walk the dog, play with your kids, go for a run, do yoga, swim a couple of laps, or even take the stairs instead of the elevator — it all counts toward movement that your body needs!
8. Skip workouts. Skipping is actually better for you than walking or running, and a heck of a lot more fun! Give this a try to find that fitness “thing” that you enjoy.
9. Don’t skip meals. Your body needs fuel first thing in the morning, to power through the mid-day, and to get you through the night. That said, don’t deprive your body.
10. Fruit first. If you have any other side option than fries, take it! Fresh fruit, side salads, rice and beans, and steamed vegetables are a few common side dish items that are way better than another plate of fries.
11. Hungry or bored? When you reach for the cupboard, use this Michael Pollan quote as a litmus test for whether or not you’re hungry or bored: If you’re not hungry enough to eat an apple, then you’re probably not hungry.
12. Say no to neon. If your soda, cereal, yogurt, or cocktail looks eerily similar to the same shade as your favorite nail polish — just don’t eat it.
13. Eat junk food. Want cookies? Want fried chicken? Want pizza? Go ahead, just make it yourself. There are no “bad” foods, but there are some pretty unhealthy preparations. Make it yourself, control the ingredients, and enjoy!
14. Focus. If you’re eating, do that. Turn off the screens, sit at a table, and focus on the meal. If you’re running, do that. If you’re playing with your kids, do that. Just focus and get more out of the moment.
15. Wear the Enell Lite. When you aren’t worried about jarring your breasts with spontaneous activity, you’re more likely to take a lunch break to go skipping, play with your kids, or join a random dance party. You never know! Try the Enell Lite.
