Everyone knows how important it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent chronic conditions and boost overall health. But for some, achieving this goal can be elusive. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not always their fault if they’re struggling to stay fit and healthy. In this article, we’ll discuss how you can re-evaluate your lifestyle, make a sustainable plan, and take action to achieve your fitness goals.

1. Get SMART About Health Goals

Goal setting is a simple but underrated tool for achieving good health. Start by writing down specific health goals in terms of physical activity, nutrition, key relationships, and sleep. Be honest and ask yourself if you’re committed to making the necessary changes to start your transformation journey. Determine if you can do this alone, or if you need help to meet your goals.

Instead of setting vague goals like “I’ll start exercising this week,” create specific and measurable goals like “I’ll walk for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 3 months.” By doing so, you’ll set SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-sensitive.

Identify concrete actions you can take to achieve your goals. Start with 1 to 3 actions per week to avoid being overwhelmed. Over time, these actions will become habits that help you achieve your goals.

Track and monitor your progress. Celebrate every success, no matter how small, and move forward. Even if you lose weight slowly or not at all, don’t give up. Focus on progress and look for ways to motivate yourself. Discuss your setbacks with your doctor to work out possible solutions together. Review your food, physical activity, and sleep habits with your doctor regularly for accountability and review.

2. A Simple Diet Can Make You Live Better

Eating and drinking well are crucial to staying fit and healthy. What you choose to eat and drink can make a significant difference in your health outcomes. Obesity is a serious and costly disease that affects around 42% of Americans. Being overweight puts you at increased risk for various health conditions, such as certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. The estimated medical cost of obesity is $1,429 higher than people with normal weight.

Discuss your food choices with your doctor by reflecting on the following questions and making small changes towards progress:

– What is your concept of healthy eating?
– What types of food and beverages do you consume regularly?
– Do you eat only when you’re hungry, or do you eat when you’re bored, emotional, or stressed out?
– What kind of food and beverages do you like to binge on?
– What are the best fitness foods to include in your diet for a stronger body?
– How do you feel about maintaining a food diary or journal?

A healthy eating and drinking plan need not be complicated. The average person needs between 2000 and 2500 calories a day, depending on activity levels. If you consume more than your activity levels, you will gain weight.

Start making small changes to your eating and drinking habits. For instance, you can drink your coffee or tea with reduced or no sugar. Try to avoid or limit deep-fried food. Update your kitchen pantry by eliminating processed, sugary, and deep-fried foods like cookies, biscuits, chips, soda, and sweets.

A grocery list helps you control your food choices. Stock up on fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, dairy foods, lean meat, healthy condiments, and snacks. If you’re craving junk food, try making healthier versions at home. Pay attention to your food cravings, make a note of them, and analyze the reasons behind them. Whenever possible, opt for alternative activities like listening to music or meditating instead of giving in to emotional or stress-related eating.

Ensure adequate hydration. Our body cells benefit from water as it absorbs all the nutrients from it and needs water to flush away unhealthy toxins and waste products. Drink enough water throughout the day to maintain optimal hydration levels in your body.

3. Get Moving and Active With These Easy Ways

Regular exercise is essential for everyone. It improves the immune system, self-esteem, focus, emotional resilience, and cholesterol levels. It also lowers blood pressure, controls blood sugar, alleviates stress, manages chronic conditions, builds stronger bones, and regulates your sleep patterns.

Start by asking yourself if health and fitness are among your top priorities. How much time do you spend sitting in a day? Would you be keen to include some physical activity in your daily schedule? What kinds of physical activities do you enjoy, and when is the best time in the day to be active?

Simple daily exercise could include taking the stairs instead of the elevator, gardening, or dancing. For more advanced exercises, try jumping jacks, mountain climbing, Surya namaskar, push-ups, and squats. Buy home exercise equipment like the elliptical machine or treadmill and exercise at home.

If you’re strapped for time, try the 7-minute HIIT workout. It’s a high-intensity interval training workout that requires only a few minutes of your time. You can do it at home or in the office, and it’s highly effective.

Conclusion

Achieving good health is not always easy, but it’s not impossible either. Start by setting SMART goals, making incremental changes to your eating and drinking habits, and incorporating physical activity into your daily routine. Monitor your progress and stay motivated by taking note of every small success. By working with your doctor and making small, sustainable changes, you can achieve your fitness goals and live a healthier life.