With the holidays behind me, I need to refocus on my healthy lifestyle.
I’ve indulged in too much sugar, too many adult beverages, and too much processed foods.
After straying for a month from my regular workouts and clean eating, I don’t feel like myself.
I’m sluggish. Not to mention, my clothing is now snug.
If you’re like me and need to reactivate your healthy lifestyle, here are some helpful ways to begin.
1- Start exercising.
If you can’t carve out a full hour for exercising, start with 10 minutes and gradually increase your time.
Walking is one of the easiest ways to begin – AND can easily be accomplished by parking far away from your destination.
Another option is to play your favorite tunes and dance. It’s your own dance party and definitely a mood-lifter!
2- Weigh yourself daily.
Weighing yourself daily is a great way to stay focused. BUT recognize slight variations can be due to water weight.
In order to do this task successfully, you must learn not to beat yourself up if you made wrong food choices during the previous day.
Each day is an opportunity to live healthier.
3- Drink black coffee or flavor it with a spice.
If you can’t drink black coffee, try adding a cinnamon stick to your morning coffee instead of sugar or artificial flavoring.
Other spices to try include nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. You may even like a pinch of black pepper in your morning coffee.
For me, the cinnamon aroma puts a smile on my face.
4- Prioritize cooking at home.
When you cook at home, you have control over ingredients, especially sugar and salt.
And, you can choose to omit processed ingredients.
Try one of the companies that ship recipes with ingredients—it’ll save you time by doing the planning and shopping for you.
5- Find ways other than food to reward yourself.
When you’ve reached that major milestone, it’s easy to run out and buy a cupcake with buttercream frosting as a reward.
Instead, buy something not edible – flowers, clothing, golf balls, spa treatment, etc.
It’s normal to stray from your healthy lifestyle during the holidays. But don’t wait any longer.
Reactivate your healthy lifestyle now by following our suggestions.
In the long run, your wallet will thank you because you won’t need to buy a larger size for your clothing.
Stay PEF (positive, enthusiastic, and focused) and make 2025 your best year ever!
(Update to original post from January 29, 2016)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Niv Persaud, CFP®, CDFA®, RICP®, is a Managing Director at Transition Planning & Guidance, LLC. Life is more than money. It’s about living the lifestyle you want and can afford. For that reason, Niv consults with clients on money, life, and work. Her approach capitalizes on techniques she learned throughout her career, including as a management consultant, executive recruiter, and financial advisor. Her services include developing comprehensive financial plans, divorce financial reviews, and retirement plans. Niv actively gives back to her community through her volunteer efforts. She believes in living life to the fullest by cherishing friendships, enjoying the beauty of nature and laughing often — even at herself. Her favorite quote is by Erma Bombeck, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say ‘I used everything you gave me.’”