15 Rules to Staying Healthy
1. Drink lots of water.
*Drinking eight 8oz glasses of water a day will help your body metabolize fat, rid itself of waste, and keep you from feeling false hunger pains.
2. Never go more than 3 days without exercising.
*Setting a standard for yourself will help keep you on track and in a routine.
3. No carbohydrates after 2pm.
*Eating carbs early in the day will give you a needed boost of energy and allow time for you to burn them off throughout the day.
4. Always choose natural foods.
*Processed foods are unfamiliar to your body making it more difficult for you to metabolize them efficiently.
5. Change up your workouts to challenge yourself.
*Your body will become acclimated to a repetitive workout routine. The best way to see results is to keep your body guessing by switching it up. Try incorporating HIIT as well.
6. Incorporate strength training with weights into some of your workouts.
*Did you know that strength training builds muscles and that leads to burning more calories? The more muscle your body has to maintain the more calories you will burn.
7. Avoid artificial sweeteners.
*Anything artificial that you’re putting into your body is probably not the healthiest choice. Although removing/avoiding artificial sweeteners is currently only a theory, these sweeteners are thought to maybe even cause weight gain.
8. Limit the amount of alcohol you consume and avoid mixed drinks filled with sugar.
*Not only will your beloved cocktail add calories to your diet but it will actually slow down your metabolism in order to enable your body to process the alcohol. Not to mention after having a few, eating an entire pizza doesn’t seem so taboo.
9. Try new healthy recipes.
*Grilled chicken and veggies are great but if that’s all you ever eat, chances are you will get bored and fall off the wagon. Add some variety and spice to your meals and truly enjoy your food!
10. Set goals for yourself so that you are always working to achieve something.
*Make sure to have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish…fitness goal or healthy eating goal or both. Also, don’t forget to celebrate the goals you have achieved!
11. Plan outings with friends around physical activities rather than dinner or drinks.
*Take temptation out of the equation and suggest spending time with your friends participating in a fun activity like paint balling, kayaking, mini golf or even a bike ride.
12. Meal prep is essential.
*Although initially it may seem like a lot of work, preparing your meals ahead of time will ensure that you are making good decisions and sticking to your healthy lifestyle.
13. Eat before a party or gathering so that you are less tempted to make bad choices.
*By attending an event already full, the only thing you will gain is an advantage. Even though your favorite dip may be in front of you, your judgment won’t be clouded by hunger therefore you are more likely to say no.
14. Keep healthy snacks on hand at home and at work.
*For those desperate times when you are starving and need to eat something immediately, these already prepared healthy snacks will be your lifesavers.
15. Be patient and stay positive.
*Although sometimes easier said than done, try and be patient because results won’t happen overnight. Embrace the journey and always try to maintain a positive attitude. Negativity will only bring you down and allow you to make excuses for yourself. As long as you are putting in the work, the results will follow.
