A Simple Start to Simple Changes for a Healthier Me

I wrote this post as part of a movement by Weight Watchers to encourage people to remember that loving yourself starts with taking care of your health everyday. Though I was compensated for my time and commitment, all views, positive and negative, are entirely my own.

I can’t say this enough, I’m no spring chicken. As you age (oh how I loathe that word), it gets increasingly harder to stay healthy and fit. But does it really? Is it just a mindset? Was it just easier when I was younger because I was more motivated with way more time on my hands and a lot less to worry about? I’m beginning to think that’s the case and I’m ready to make some simple changes to my everyday routine toward a healthier, happier me. I started this a week ago and it feels GREAT! I turned to an unlikely source for help. I don’t need to lose weight really (a little belly fat perhaps, but not weight) but I stumbled upon a list from Weight Watchers that has changed my daily/weekly activities and I’m pretty glad I did. This Simple Start, these simple changes, are changing the way I look at and do things, and they can change me for the better.

Commit to eating at least 5 portions of fruits and vegetables a day! I need to eat better. I don’t eat bad foods. No, no, no…no fast foods, no unhealthy preservatives, no heavy sugars for me. BUT, I basically don’t eat. I mean, I eat enough to stay alive obviously, but I don’t eat much. This, my friends, is not a healthy habit. Nope. I need to eat more. I’m a vegetarian so my diet is already heavy in fruits and veggies, but my diet doesn’t consist of much. These clever Weight Watchers folks suggest that I commit to eating at least five portions of fruits and vegetables a day. FIVE PORTIONS. I rarely eat more than twice a day. Time to change that up! I’m starting my days with a healthy Blackberry, Banana, Yogurt smoothie. A handful of blackberries makes an exceptional mid-morning snack. For lunch, a nice bowl of black beans (hello protein) with some fresh red bell peppers and onions mixed in for flavor. A quick mid-afternoon break (yes I’m taking mini-breaks from work now too) includes half of an orange. And for dinner, how about some homemade veggie soup? I’ve got this and I have so much more energy to accomplish my tasks and do the things I love.

Take the stairs! Aside from diet, there are so many other things you can do. We’ve got an elevator in our building. I’ll shamefully admit that I’ve taken it quite often while rushing Bug to school or bringing up the groceries. I mean, for real, I have 2 little kids and groceries to carry. Why wouldn’t I? Well, because those extra 44 steps, 22 down, 22 up, make all the difference in the world. That’s exercise right there people. Throw in a full trunk load of groceries, and it’s a work out. Up, and down…up, and down…and up again. You see where I’m going with this. Who needs a gym?

Get in a workout! Although we do have a gym on the premises, I don’t visit it much. B does, I don’t. You see, my babies aren’t always on their best behavior. They aren’t bad per se, but put them in a room with work out equipment, it’s game on…for them. This means I get distracted, frustrated, and overly annoyed. Not my bag. So, I work out at home. I’ve been a little lax lately but since jumping on this band wagon with the Weight Watchers activities, I’ve been making it a priority. Just 30 minutes per day. JUST 30 MINUTES! For me, it’s yoga, abs, or cardio, and it makes a difference. I feel it. I see it! PLUS, at home, I can work out in my jammies. So there’s that.

Get active as a family! If working out isn’t your thing, you know what? Play time can be work out time! Consider taking the kids to the park. Instead of just watching, play with them. It’s fun! You can laugh and a simple climb up the ladder, swing across the monkey bars (you can do it), or slide down the swirly slide is actually exercise. For real. They’ll laugh. You’ll laugh. And the break is amazingly fabulous!

Reward yourself for healthy behavior! One final thought. Take a break! I don’t do this enough. But thanks to this reminder, I did something I enjoyed this week and the emotional rush was incredible. I crafted (ha! I know) and I decorated for one of my favorite holidays, Mardi Gras, which starts this weekend. So you know what I’m doing? I’m taking time off. I’m going to basically unplug and just enjoy my family, my surroundings, and a little play time. This is MY reward for making all of these simple changes in my life. Yes, I deserve this.

It’s really not that hard to stay healthy with these simple changes. Eat, work out in my jammies, play, and enjoy life. It’s really that simple! By making a few changes in your every day life, and learning to appreciate life, you can be a happier and healthier you. I’m serious, JUST.DO.IT! I did, and so can you with this simple motivation. What simple changes do you think you can make in your daily routine to help you be healthier…and happier?