It’s time to get our eat on and make some changes! Small changes, that is. You’re probably thinking, “I don’t have time for that” or “I’m not Martha Stewart, I don’t know how to cook.” Trust me, I feel you. Eating healthy isn’t easy (or cheap), but these five tips will get you on the right track without breaking the bank or taking up too much of your valuable time. Let’s do this!
#1 Meal prep, meal prep, meal prep!
I can’t stress this enough. If you have good food at home, you’re less likely to go out and buy something unhealthy. Spend an hour or two on the weekends cooking some meals that you can easily reheat during the week. Not a fan of cooking? That’s fine! There are plenty of healthy foods that don’t require any cooking at all, like fruits and veggies, yogurt, whole grain bread, etc. Just make sure to have healthy snacks and meals available so you’re not tempted to hit up McDonald’s when you’re hangry.
#2 Speaking of McDonalds…
Try to limit the number of times you eat fast food each week. It’s not always possible to avoid (I feel you, girl), but try to be aware of how often you’re eating it. Maybe try cutting back to once a week or every other week. And when you do eat fast food, try to make healthier choices like grilled chicken instead of fried chicken, a side salad instead of fries, etc.
#3 Drink lots and lots of water!
Seriously, water is seriously underrated. It does wonders for your skin, digestion, energy levels…the list goes on and on. Shoot for eight glasses a day and increase if you can. Some people say they hate water because it’s “boring.” If that’s you, try adding some fruit slices or cucumber slices to give it some flavor without adding a ton of calories. Pour yourself a glass in the morning and keep refilling it throughout the day so you hit your goal!
#4 Cut back on sugary drinks
Sugary drinks are loaded with empty calories that can really add up if you’re not careful. Instead of drinking soda or sugary coffee drinks, opt for water or unsweetened tea/coffee instead. Your body (and your wallet) will thank you later!
#5 Lastly…exercising!
I know, I know…exercise is hard and time consuming. But even just 20 minutes a day can make a big difference in your overall health and wellbeing. And there are tons of ways to sneak in exercise without even realizing it! Taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking or biking to nearby places instead of driving…every little bit counts!
That’s all for now! Remember – baby steps!!! These five tips may seem small, but they’ll make a big difference in your health if you stick with them. Just remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day (or whatever) so don’t get discouraged if you mess up here and there – we all do! Just get back on track and keep going until these healthy habits become second nature 🙂
XOXO, Gracie