5 Tips to Make Your Healthy Living Easier

I can’t do it!  It’s too hard!  I’m so frustrated!  I’m so OVER it!  Those are some of the thoughts and feelings that a lot of us have felt when it comes to pursuing healthier eating and living.  One thing that most of us know is that change can be DIFFICULT.  When we have done something for so long that it has become a habit, it can be truly challenging to make a change.  Most of us want to be better, do better, and feel better in our lives.  It’s usually not a lack of desire that makes it difficult to change.  Quite often it is simply the adjustment to change itself and the challenge of creating new habits and behaviors, that frustrates us the most.  I can say with all sincerity and passion: I FEEL YOU!   Even as a health coach it can be challenging at times to modify my habits and behaviors.  Throughout my body journey I have started and failed and started over again.  Between the experience in my own life and the wellness education that I have, I’ve developed the skills I need to be more successful now, in my health and wellness journey.  I want YOU to experience progress in your journey too!  So, here are 5 simple tips that you can use to make your healthy living easier:

1. Add It In Before You Cut It Out–  A practice that most of us have learned from other people or dieting plans, is to “cut out” all the “bad” stuff in our lives and start fresh.  Well, my tip for you is to “add in” healthy foods and behaviors FIRST before trying to “cut out” anything.  Add more fruits, vegetables, water, etc. than you normally eat, to your food choices.  Add more healthy movement to your day.  Add more quality time with yourself and the ones you love.  Before you try to quit sugar, stop smoking, or cease any “negative” behaviors in your life, add the healthier stuff in.  This method is called “crowding out”.  As you begin to eat healthier foods, you will crave more.  As you begin to add movement, you will crave fitness more.  As you start to make time for yourself, you will crave self care even more.  Try to “add in” what you WANT in your life first before you “cut out” what you don’t.
2. Variety Is the Spice of Life-  Whether it’s food, fitness, or self care remember to keep it SPICY! Switch it up.  Don’t let it get mundane, routine, or boring.  Try new healthy fruits, vegetables, and other foods that you’ve never tried before.  Experiment with a new fitness or exercise method that you’ve never experienced.  Explore a new spa, journal, or meditation technique that you’ve never considered in the past.  Your health and wellness journey is a life long one.  It is a lifestyle, not a temporary goal.  So, don’t be afraid to be adventurous with it and enhance your life experience.  No matter the budget, there are options to help you keep it spicy.  Use online resources such as Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr, etc.  to look for ideas. Be invested in the success of your OWN health and wellness
3. Plan, Plan, and then Plan Some More– Organization and planning is something that a lot of people don’t like to do, but it is imperative to the success of your health journey.  When you plan your meals ahead of time you are less likely to make those last minute food binge choices.  If you incorporate your exercise and movement into your calendar you are more likely to keep your commitment to yourself.  When you make meditation and spiritual practice a part of your daily routine, it is more probable that you will remember to do it.  In order to see the success you desire in your health and wellness, you will have to make it a priority in your life, not just a thought or wish.
4. Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff…Yet– A lot of times when people start out on a quest for healthier lives they go to the extreme with everything and if they make any mistakes or failures, they give up.  My advice is not to “sweat the small stuff” at first.  Give yourself some room for errors, mistakes, and failure. Don’t take it as a sign of your weakness. Don’t think that your “mess ups” in the beginning mean that you are not committed to your wellness.  It is your ability to go back and try again that shows your TRUE commitment.  Keep going! Take notes or even journal about the mistakes that you make, so you can learn how to do it better or even a different way.  Remember that not every method works for every one.  The food plan that works for your friend may not work for you.  You may have to try  another.  The exercise routine that your mate is using may not be the one for you.  Try something else (see step #3).  Don’t give up on your journey, keep going and you WILL get better.
5. It Takes Two Baby– You may need a buddy to be successful.  It’s as simple as that.  Pursuing a goal with a partner makes the journey sweeter.  The benefits of an accountability partner, friend, or coach are endless.  You will have someone to hold you accountable, share your experience with, and help keep you inspired.  If you have tried the health and wellness journey alone and have not been successful so far, I suggest that you try it with support.  You can incorporate the help of a family member, life partner, co-worker, friend, or a health coach like myself (shameless plug).  Just be sure that it is someone you can trust, depend on, and be authentic with because this is one of the most important things in your life!

What do you think about the tips? Are they helpful or useful to you? Will you be trying any of them? I’d love to hear from you.  If you would like my support with your health and wellness journey I would be more than happy to assist you further.  As a health coach I have helpful, empowering tips like these and more to empower you to be successful in your health and wellness journey.  Please feel free to contact me here for a FREE one-on-one session.