In Houston, TX, some people start working out and eating nutrient-dense meals in the middle of December, hoping to get fit for the holidays. It takes more than just a week or two of exercise or nutritious meals to be fit. It takes developing healthy habits to become healthier. If you consistently do things to help you get fit and avoid those things that can harm your body, it will provide a boost to help you reach your goals and make it easier.
Exercise at the same time each day.
Identify a time that you can exercise each day. It might be after work, but if your hours are crazy and you never know when your day will end, exercise first thing in the morning. It doesn’t matter what time you choose. The key is to choose a time when you can do it consistently. Put exercise on your schedule and treat it like any other appointment. It helps you develop a habit. You’ll automatically workout at that time or feel uncomfortable if you don’t.
Don’t wait until you’re famished to plan your meal.
Meal planning a week’s worth of meals makes it easy to stick with a healthy eating program. You plan the week’s meals one night and create a shopping list. You shop on another night. Over the weekend or when you have a full day at home, you cook the weeks’ worth of food and package meals in individual serving sizes. During the next week, all you have to do is heat and serve. It’s quicker than a drive-through and saves money. If the main meal for one night is baked chicken, you can use the leftovers for chicken salad, a Buddha bowl, or several other dishes.
Make it a habit to get adequate sleep.
You need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night for maximum energy and to function at its best. If you don’t get adequate sleep, it triggers the production of ghrelin, the hunger hormone, and diminishes the production of leptin, the hormone that makes you feel full. That makes it difficult to stick with any healthy diet. When people are tired, they often crave sweets to boost their energy. Processed products high in added sugar are never part of a healthy diet.
- When you do meal planning, make sure you include snacks. A nutritious, low-calorie snack mid-morning or mid-afternoon helps you get through the day without snacking on candy or other sweet treats.
- Don’t forget to hydrate regularly. Dehydration can cause serious health issues or make you eat more. Your brain misinterprets the body’s message of thirst for hunger. You eat more to fill the need.
- Stick with a sleep schedule to be your healthiest. If you go to bed at the same time each night and get up on schedule, it helps you fall asleep quicker, get sounder sleep, and wake up refreshed.
- Stay active. While exercising regularly is necessary for fitness, staying active when you’re not exercising helps. If you have a sedentary job, get up once every hour and move, walk, or stretch.
For more information, contact us today at Reggie C. Fitness