Welcome to 2018! We are officially in the season of resolutions and the mantra “New year, new you!” This month we are focusing on the idea of resolutions here on the blog, with a series that will cover everything from resolution inspiration to how to follow through and maintain the changes you make long term. To kick everything off, we’ve got a list of ten healthy habits to embrace this year!
Walk More
Walking is a great way to stay active throughout the day, without having to put in time for the gym. Consider taking a walk on your lunch break or after dinner. You can also get an activity tracker that counts your steps and gives you reminders as well as lets you set goals for yourself!
Drink More Water
This one always seems so simple, and yet we never seem to do it! If water is really boring, spruce it up with some lemon or fruit and veggie slices to give it a natural flavor. Drinking water helps keep snacking cravings at bay and has many other benefits for your health.
Learn to Cook
This is a great way to take control of what goes in your food, and can be a fun date night or way to spend some extra time with family! We have diabetic friendly recipes here on the blog, and other sites like Pinterest have some great options as well.
Try a New Exercise
It can be hard to maintain an exercise regimen, and often times this is simply due to a lack of excitement! So a great way to break out a rut this year would be to try out some new types of exercise. Sign up for a 5K, learn yoga, take a group exercise class, or start up dance or kick boxing! Sticking to an exercise routine is as simple as finding something that you look forward to, that doesn’t feel like a chore. So go out and find your jam!
Get More Sleep
This is another one that seems very simple, but it is so easy to put off sleeping to get stuff done (or even just to veg out and watch tv at the end of a long day!) However, getting a good night of sleep helps with just about everything, from making healthy eating choices to a better mood throughout the day. To reap these benefits with a great night of sleep, check out our post with all the tricks to fall asleep faster!
Cut Out Sugar
Now this one might be a bit tougher for a lot of people. Sugar is highly addictive, and there are hidden sugars in just about everything it seems when it comes to processed foods. However, this is one of the best things you can do to help manage blood sugar. Start by eliminating candy and soda from your diet, and once you’ve got a hold on that try tackling hidden added sugars. Learning to read food labels will be very helpful for this step.
Keep Healthy Snacks on Hand
Another way to help reduce sugar intake (and to just be healthier overall!) is to keep healthy snacks around. When you are hungry and want a quick bite between meals, we tend to reach for something fast and usually processed. Keep fruit and veggies pre-chopped in your fridge, and take some nuts or seeds if you are on the go. Having these things ready makes it just as easy to grab something healthy as it is to grab that bag of Doritos.
Eat Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and this has become a mantra for a reason! Your body has just been fasting for around 8 hours while you were sleeping, and it needs nourishment when you wake up. On top of this, eating breakfast every day is crucial for keeping blood sugar regulated.
Don’t Stress!
Finally, don’t stress!! A huge reason why people don’t follow through with their resolutions is because they try to take on too much or make too extreme of a change. If you break one of your new healthy habits, don’t beat yourself up. Remember that tomorrow is a new day and a new chance to make healthy choices. If you feel too much like you are policing your food or exercise you are much less likely to maintain the behavior. Nobody is perfect, and taking baby steps is far more beneficial than biting off more than you can chew.
