Five Ways to Stay Healthful in the New Year

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While I didn’t come up with any specific New Year’s Resolutions this year, I am sticking with my 101 in 1001 goals I set back in May. And I typically evaluate my progress at the beginning of each new month so that I can set more specific goals based on my current obligations and concerns. (See my most recent update here.) For January, I’ve decided to focus on many of my health and exercise-related goals. So in all honesty, I did come up with ‘New Year’s Resolutions’, just ones that fit into my larger life goals as detailed in my overall list. And that’s what I love about 101 in 1001…it’s a great way to tailor the things you spend your time on toward the person you see yourself becoming over the next few years (a little longer time span than the traditional one year resolutions).

At any rate, I don’t know about you, but I have been struggling to keep up with my health-oriented goals for the month of January (most likely because I’ve been on break until this past week). As such, I decided to identify a few simple things I can do each day to ensure that I am staying conscious of my health and health goals in the New Year. I have to confess that these five things aren’t mind-blowing and I’m definitely not the first person to come up with them. However, I find that sometimes it’s the simpler things (the ones that tend to be the easiest to do) that make the biggest difference in sustaining a healthful lifestyle. So I thought I’d write them down here for both you AND me as a helpful little reminder. These five things are truly simple to do and can be implemented immediately and incorporated into your normal, daily routine without a lot of extra effort. So without further ado, here are five simple ways to stay healthful in the new year!

 

Five Ways to Stay Healthful in the New Year

1. Eat up! Start the day with a good, healthful breakfast and make sure to not skip meals throughout the day. I find that when I skip meals, I tend to over indulge when I finally do make it around to eating. I like to start my day with eggs + lots of colorful veggies mixed in or whole wheat toast + avocado and cracked black pepper. I like to incorporate lots of protein in the morning to keep me full until lunch time. I find that it helps me to stay focused on the tasks at hand instead of what I have packed for lunch as soon as I get into the office. In the event that I do get hungry throughout the day, I’ll take healthy snacks to munch on, like carrots + hummus and pretzel chips or a sliced apple + peanut butter. I also like keeping a little dark chocolate at my desk for when my sweet tooth acts up. I like to buy individually wrapped pieces (like Dove Promises or Ghiradelli Squares) to keep myself from eating too much of it (i.e. a whole bag of chocolate chips).

2. Get movin’. There’s nothing easier than moving a little more than you already do each day. Make a commitment to yourself and your health to get in your steps for the day. Nominally (not including my after work exercise) I aim to get 10,000 steps per day. Sometimes it can be hard, but if you commit to it right now, it makes coming up with excuses later a non-issue. And if you want a little extra motivation, you can add me as a Fitbit friend (cupcakesandthecosmosblog@gmail.com) and we can compete! I’d love the extra motivation and accountability. Easy ways to get more steps in each day? <> Take the stairs rather than the elevator. <> Park at the back of the parking lot and walk a litter farther to get into work. <> Take a walk break to get some fresh air and a new perspective when you get stuck on a problem at work. <> I also like going for walks with Allen when I get home in the evenings. It’s a great way to get exercise and hear about each other’s days (free from distractions!).

3. Stay hydrated. Make sure to get plenty of sips in on a daily basis. While I don’t believe there is one volume that suits everyone (it depends highly on your body composition, height-weight, activity level, and even what you eat each day), I find that 8-10 glasses of water keeps me feeling hydrated and energized throughout the day (not including what I drink after workouts). Need more creative ways to drink more water? Try hot tea in the morning or fruit-infused water throughout the day to give your water some extra flavor! I also like adding water-rich foods like fruit and veggies for an extra boost. Another great reason to drink water? I’ve heard that if you drink a glass of cold water before a meal, it can help to keep you from over-eating. I’m definitely going to be trying it this next month. And if all else fails…I also find that when I have a cute and stylish water bottle to drink from, it makes drinking the water a little more fun! I usually drink my tea from this tumbler, which is insanely good at keeping tea warm for several hours. And for water, I typically use my purple Nalgene, but I’ve been recently drawn to trying the Swell bottles (how cute is this teal heart bottle?!). Has anyone tried one yet? I’d love to know what you think of it!

4. Clear your mind. Take some time to yourself. Unplug from the computer, the cell phone, the television and any other electronic (or non-electronic) distraction for 15 mintues to an hour each day. Meditate and relax as you take calming breaths in and out. I like to curl up with a candle and some wine and a good book when I have time on the weekends. Other days when I’m too busy to do such, simply laying down and closing my eyes for a few minutes does the trick! Yoga is another great outlet for meditating and giving yourself some thoughtful time. And other times, taking a quick hike is the perfect get-away from the stresses in life.

5. Get your zzzz’s. Make sure to get plenty of sleep each night. I would say to get at least 8 hours a night, but as an engineering graduate student I won’t be so optimistic. However, I do know that when I don’t give my body the rest and recovery that it needs, my work (and life in general) suffers because of it. It also helps to stay on a consistent or near-consistent schedule from night to night as well. I find that when I am consistent with when I go to bed and when I wake up in the mornings, I often don’t even need an alarm. And when my sleep isn’t abruptly broken by an alarm, I feel more rested and refreshed when I wake up, leaving me more energized and ready to attack the day!

 

What about you? Do you have any simple things you do on a daily basis to keep up with your health? I’d love to know!