Drink More Water
According to the Mayo Clinic, men should be drinking about 15.5 cups of water a day and women should be drinking 11.5 cups. I don’t know about you, but I know I don’t drink that much each day! Water is so important for your body; you are made up mostly of water after all! Water helps to control our appetite, provides energy to our muscles, keeps our skin looking great and it helps the body get rid of all the waste through the urine and feces. Sounds like a lot of healthy benefits to me! But PLEASE, go get a reusable water bottle rather than using plastic!
Take The Stairs
We’re all busy… getting to the gym can be hard to fit into our schedules. But there are little ways to get more exercise into your day. Work or live on the 3rd or 4th floor? Why not take the stairs instead of the elevator? Even if you just do it once a day, it’s still more activity than you did the day before!
Park Farther Away
Again, like taking the stairs, just getting our bodies moving more during the day makes a huge difference! Instead of looking for the parking spot closest to the store (or your work, or wherever you are) find a spot farther away so you have to walk. I am guilty of looking for the closest spot I can get, especially when I’m with my kids, but even if you just do it when you’re not with your kids, you’re still moving more!
Cut Up Veggies & Fruit Ahead of Time
When it comes to snacking, I’m lazy. I like to grab whatever is most convenient. This often looks like packaged, processed food. I’ve learned that if I cut up my fruit and veggies ahead of time, I’m more likely to eat them. I also like to get a good dip for my vegetables like humus of tzatziki just to liven it up a bit.
Get More Sleep
Again according to Mayo, adults should be getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Now I know everyone is different, my husband could easily survive on 7 hours a night while I need more like 9 hours a night. But somewhere in that range is best. WebMD lists 7 reasons to get more sleep. Your brain will be sharper, boost your mood, have a healthier heart, better athletic achievements, a steadier blood sugar level, be better at fighting germs, and help control your weight!
Eat Less Sugar
This can even look like swapping out juice or pop for water. There is so much sugar in the things we drink! You can still treat yourself, but choose darker chocolate or milk or white. Maybe even cut out the sugar you put in your morning coffee or tea. That one less teaspoon of sugar each day will make a difference.
Decrease Stress
Stress has such an adverse affect on our bodies. Weight gain, heart disease, our ability to fight off germ are all affected by our stress levels. Take a walk, take a bath, take some time to read or meditate, take some time to relax however that looks for you!
