0

Small Steps in the Journey

If you find it hard to get out of bed in the morning, try leaving mints beside your alarm clock.

If you find it hard to get out of bed in the morning, try leaving mints beside your alarm clock.

On the track to better health, it's all about the small steps. Remember that great cities such as Jackson weren't built in a day; it's a step-by-step process. Here are some small steps you can take each day to get healthy.

• If your goal is to lose weight, download a calorie-tracking app, such as MyPlate or MyFitnessPal. Let it guide you in your journey to eating healthier.

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

• Switch water for soda, but remember that when you drink juice or tea, those items can add calories and sugar.

• If you normally get chips or fries as a side item, get a salad instead.

• Get up early and go for a walk. It'll make you feel good for the rest of the day

• If you haven't already, go out and buy a Halloween costume—one that makes you feel good about yourself.

• Keep mints by your bed. Set your alarm clock early, and when it goes off, pop a mint into your mouth before getting out of bed. The minty flavor will help wake you up for your morning walk.

• Think of fruits as candy. They're often just as sweet, although eating a whole fruit is preferable to drinking sugary fruit juice.

• Buy a small plastic bin and begin keeping snacks such as nuts and granola in it at work or home. You'll be less likely to binge when mealtime comes around.

• Eat on a small blue plate. The size of the plate allows for less food, and the color makes you eat less.

• If you want to run but aren't that great at it, try the Couch-to-5K Running Plan, a program that helps you learn how to run by training you in easy-to-do intervals. For more information, find it on Facebook.

• In the morning, drink green tea with a little honey. It speeds up your metabolism.

• Eat a big breakfast and a small dinner.

• If your vice is one type of unhealthy food, try to make a healthier substitution. For example, instead of eating white bread, buy whole wheat; eat dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate.

• Know your superfoods (those considered to be especially good for health and well-being) and eat them. They include cocoa powder, blueberries and spinach.

• Bring a lunch instead of buying one.

• On your lunch break, walk or run around the block.

• Drink two glasses of water 30 minutes before a big meal. The water will give you a feeling of fullness, and you'll eat less.

• If you're hungry, try drinking water. Our brains often confuse thirst with hunger.

• Once you start drinking water, don't stop. You'll want it all the time if you stay with it, but if you stop, it's hard to get back on that train.

Comments

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.

Sign in to comment