As the New Year begins, Facebook and Twitter newsfeeds flood with “New year, New me” resolution statuses. Cleaning up your diet and adding regular exercise to daily schedules is something most people desire, but don’t (or can’t) usually commit to. It gets difficult picking out healthier options at the grocery store and finding time to work out after a long day at work or school- trust me, I know! It’s not so simple to change habits and traditions of any kind, but do not fear. Here are my three discoveries on how to do so both simply and on a budget.
1) Drink more water!
I’m sure you’ve heard this phrase before…And it’s familiarity is not without reason! The importance of water in your day-to-day routines can not- I repeat – CAN NOT be stressed enough. Not only will you notice a change in your energy level, your mood, and skin, but if you continually drink enough you can lose those unwanted holiday pounds! (Although, they were so worth it- nothing beats homemade cookies and cheesecake, does it?) You fill up faster, and your weight in water will shed right away. So if you drink them, replace those sugary drinks with good, clean H20!
Staying hydrated works wonders for your attention span and focus. One of the most common symptoms of dehydration is tiredness. Move over, coffee! Stay refreshed throughout your day and notice the difference.
Tip: Carrying a water bottle with you all day will motivate you. Just keep refilling it whenever you run out! Look into reusable bottles- they are more efficient and better for the environment.
2) Eat a salad before your last meal.
The high water and fiber content in your leafy greens will take up space in your stomach despite the few calories they cost you! Raw vegetables are not only essential for your overall health and immune system, but are proven to assist in weight control.
Proof: According to Best Health Magazine, two cups (500 mL) of shredded romaine contain 40 percent of your daily needs of folate and 10 percent of fiber. A study done at Tulane University in New Orleans showed that the higher the level of folate in a person’s diet, the lower the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. In addition to being good for your heart, salad can reduce your risk of diabetes. Chronic magnesium deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and the development of insulin resistance. Two cups (500 mL) of spinach contain 16 percent of your daily magnesium needs; arugula has six percent. Need I say more?
Read more about salad benefits at http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-eats/healthy-eating/6-health-
3) Download an app to track your daily steps.
Many people resort to new forms of wrist band technologies that track their daily exercise, and alert them when they reach their goals (or more importantly, don’t reach their goals). An affordable alternative to these genius devices is simply downloading a free health app on your phone! Thankfully, there is an abundance of them.
It works! By finding an app that suits you, you wouldn’t believe how easy it is to become more active. On my android phone, I have a built-in “SH Health app” which tracks many things, but most importantly tracks how many steps I take a day. My goal step count is 6,000, and towards the end of the day when I notice I am nowhere near that, I get up and move around. Going for a walk is the easiest way to become more active.
By actively pursuing these tips, you will feel proud of yourself knowing you’ve accomplished something to improve your health. You will also notice how being healthy really can make you happier.
