Spring is a great time to reestablish healthy eating and get that body moving. Here are 5 Easy ways to stay healthy and fighting fit.

In Long Island, New York where I live, spring has definitely arrived. You can see the photo of our exquisite cherry blossom tree. As I look at the blossoms, it’s a yearly reminder that warm weather is on its way.

Allow the winter sloth to give way to the spring bunny

Nearly every one of my clients mentions how they would like to lose a few pounds or more before summer arrives. After hunkering down over winter, it’s now time to enjoy being outdoors. The warm layers of clothing, give way to shorts, sleeveless dresses and bathing suits revealing more skin.

Over winter, many of us eat larger portions and often too many comforting foods such as sugar and carbs. We probably also imbibe too much alcohol. Just as our ancestors who lived in caves now made their way out into the open fields, the warm weather offers us more a more active lifestyle.

5 easy ways to stay healthy and fighting fit.

If you would like to get in shape, eat healthier and release the winter pounds, here are 5 easy ways to stay healthy and fighting fit.

1. Think food plan NOT diets

Research shows that fad diets don’t work. They may be intense and extreme and you see that fat melt away more quickly. Yet over time most often the pounds or kilos creep back on.

Figure out what makes sense to you, your lifestyle and those who live with you. You don’t want to be cooking different types of food for everyone in your house and juggling even more things.

2. Get sugar out of your system

Sugar and lots of carbs are the problem NOT the fats. We have been given the wrong information from the food guru’s for decades. Take a look at this interesting article about the benefits of eating full fat cheese. 

Also some of the latest studies point to the importance of eating quality foods and avoid processed foods that are made with refined starches and added sugar, like bagels, white bread, refined flour, sugary snacks and beverages.

Can you commit to not having sugar and carbs for the next 3 days to clear them out of your system? Then you could recommit another 3 days at a time. It’s way easier to avoid sweets when they are out of your system.

If you think that a cleanse is a good idea do some research. There are many different types from an intense vegan raw food cleanse with no oil, sugar, salt, carbs etc. to a day of juicing raw veggies once a week. Remember that if you add lots of high fructose fruit to your juicing, that’s a load of sugar, even if its fructose.

I often do a day of veggie juicing from Wednesday dinner to Thursday lunch. It really helps to cleanse as well as feel good. 

3. Have an alcohol free week

Ask yourself, “What’s my relationship with alcohol?” Do you find that you “need” a drink after work each night? The same 2 questions can be asked about your relationship with smoking pot.

If you’re truly addicted to substances, alcohol and certain foods then avoid those things. For example, if ice cream or chocolate (even dark chocolate) trigger you to eat more and more, then stop eating them for a specified period of time.

Otherwise, experience the difference if you make the work week an alcohol free zone.

4. Create a consistent exercise regiment

Decide on what time works for you to calendar exercise. Is it early in the morning before other members of your family wake? Is it as soon as you leave work? There’s no right time! I wouldn’t recommend exercising close to bedtime, as it raises your adrenaline levels and does make it more difficult to sleep .

Can you commit to walking or going to the gym 3 days a week? Schedule it in your calendar! Putting it in your calendar is extremely important, otherwise along with everything else you have to do, it just won’t get done.

Although I’m dedicated to stay active, it really helps to have a friend with whom I exercise twice weekly throughout the year. Firstly, you build in added accountability by making a commitment to someone else and not just yourself. You may bail on yourself. You think twice before bailing on another person. Secondly, if you like to be social, it’s way more fun. Walking and talking is a positive way to multitask.  Thirdly, you build in variety.

5. Moderation is the key.

Find a way to do things in moderation to stay healthy consistently. Treat yourself to a yummy dessert, pasta meal, or some other delectable meal once in a while, just not every day. Whatever treat you choose, make sure that it’s not a food or drink that will trigger you back into unhealthy daily habits.

       

These 3 important guidelines really help along the path to health!

 

• I don’t believe in quick fixes. Be gentle and remember that the older you are, the longer it takes to shed weight and body fat.
• Find ways to celebrate your wins while being good to yourself.
• Include some type of deep breathing or meditation daily. Yes daily, if only for 5 minutes. In our fast paced world we need to allow our body, mind and spirit to relax. Ironically you will also most likely end up feeling more energized afterwards.

 

Next steps

Whatever makes sense to you, mindfully embark on staying healthy and know that you are loving yourself.

You can also take the stressed out solutions quiz and discover more ways to stay healthy.

 

Let me know what works for you, by commenting below.