In most parts of the nation, spring is slowly turning into summer and soon schools will be out, leading many to take a much-deserved vacation.
If you have been hibernating all winter long under heavy, bulky clothes eating comfort food, now is the time to take action and start getting your health back on track.
Enlist a friend or family member and start making these changes now!
1. Drink more water!
I must say this 100 times a day but you are already dehydrated once you feel thirsty and as new research states, dehydration can cause "headaches, fatigue and difficulty concentrating."
As the human body is made up of a lot of water, you need to drink it regularly to keep your systems moving and flush out toxins. Program your phone to remind you to drink water to help keep you more accountable.
2. Eat a healthy breakfast!
Start the day with good nutrition and eat within an hour of getting out of bed. Don’t grab a bagel on the go or reach for an over-sugared container of yogurt. Skip out on the chocolate chip marshmallow ‘protein bars’ (really?) and pick something healthy.
Have an apple with natural peanut butter, mix almonds into your sugar-free oatmeal, try 2 hard-boiled eggs and a piece of whole-grain toast, opt for plain yogurt (yes, plain) and mix in some nuts/seeds and berries with a splash of cinnamon and vanilla.
3. Switch up your exercise routine!
If you are happy with your results, then by all means keep it up! However if you feel stagnant or at a plateau, then choose something different and surprise your muscles. Switch from running to kickboxing, add in Pilates, pick up hula-hooping, throw in some new DVDs or search YouTube for ideas.
If you are new to exercise then start small but do something (anything) most days of the week. Remember to drink water afterwards to rehydrate. Exercise not only relieves tension for many but can improve energy over time as it builds new mitochondria in your muscles which are your powerhouse energy makers.
4. Find your happy place!
Many women are responsible for wearing many hats in their daily lives leaving them with little down-time or "me" time, and I recommend finding your happy place and going there often. Take some time everyday to do something that is 100 percent you.
Even if it’s five minutes to close your eyes and listen to your favorite song, working out, sitting outside and breathing the fresh air, playing with your dog or cat, reading a book, crafting, or gardening -- take the time to bring it back to you. This helps lower stress and eases tension plus puts you instantly in a better mood.
5. Keep a journal!
Pay attention to the foods you reach for during the day. Are you going for a coffee drink like a latte or mocha? A mid-morning sugar filled yogurt? An after-lunch chocolate treat? A sugar-rimmed alcoholic drink after dinner? Something to snack on before bed?
Start writing down everything you eat for a week or two and really evaluate what you consume. You may find that your serving sizes are a little expanded or that your snacking is so mindless that you don’t even realize what you are doing until it’s in your mouth. Food journals are a nice reality check to help get you back on track.
References:
1. Even Mild Dehydration May Cause Emotional, Physical Problems. Web. 23 May, 2012.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/757272
2. Mitochondria in Skeletal Muscle: Rheostats of Apoptotic Susceptibility: Conditions Altering Apoptosis in Muscle. Web. 23 May, 2012.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/576867_3
Reviewed May 23, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith
Add a Comment5 Comments
However if you feel stagnant or at a plateau, then choose something different and surprise your muscles. Customized Fat Loss Review
June 26, 2013 - 2:57amThis Comment
If you are happy with your results, then by all means keep it up! However if you feel stagnant or at a plateau, then choose something different and surprise your muscles. Switch from running to kickboxing, add in Pilates, pick up hula-hooping, throw in some new DVDs or search YouTube for ideas.
http://www.addvalue.com.au/
June 6, 2012 - 1:17amThis Comment
Like most women, I’ve spent a lifetime worrying about my weight. Even when I wasn’t worrying about it, that number was still on my mind. Oversized and in lights, like a movie theater’s marquee. Crash diets to slough off the extra baggage included the grapefruit diet (yup, it was all grapefruit, all the time), diet pills (from speed to OTC drugs, I’ve tried them all), gulping diuretics by the handful and my favorite diet, fasting. Drinking organic juices for a day and then not eating at all for several days.
http://www.addvalue.com.au/
June 6, 2012 - 1:15amThis Comment
Focus on your strengths and positive qualities. To gain confidence in your appearance, notice what you love about your body! Building a healthy body images means focusing your strengths, not your weaknesses. For more info, read 10 Tips for Increasing Your Body Confidence.
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June 6, 2012 - 1:12amThis Comment
Excellent tips. Always feels better in the summer when we are in shape. As we can wear clothing that shows off how much work we have put in during the winter months.
Marielaina Perrone DDS
October 17, 2012 - 11:42amHenderson Dental Implants
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