By the Balance Team
Our 12 week, exercise and health program is a great way to get motivated and start getting in shape but maintaining your new found health will only be achieved if you start making small changes to your every day – starting today!.
Jean Hailes dietitian Terrill Bruere is a big believer in taking small steps towards good health. Here are some of Terrill’s ideas to get you started.
Hot days, cool drinks
Watch out for sugar in those cool summer drinks. Here’s an idea when you’re at a party. Add ice and a slurp of juice to your glass, topping it up with unflavoured mineral water.
Be sun smart
You still need to get vitamin D in summer by exposing your face, arms, hands or legs in the sun for 10 minutes outside peak UV times (10am-2pm or 11am-3pm daylight saving times).
Detoxing
Feeling bloated or tired after all the celebrations? It can be tempting to detox, but you can detox naturally by drinking water, eating healthy food, walking regularly and getting enough sleep.
Dehydration
Make water a habit whenever you feel thirsty over the day. In most cases special drinks for re-hydration are unnecessary, unless you are doing very high levels of exercises or you are unwell.
Relaxation
Learning how to relax can help reduce anxiety and stress. Relaxation can include positive thinking, activities such as walking or cycling, hobbies, yoga or meditation.
Benefits can include slower heart and breathing, reduced blood pressure and less muscle tension. It can also help improve energy, sleep and concentration.
Getting active
Make physical activity simple, fun and social so you feel more motivated and inspired.
Picnics and fun finger food
Who doesn’t like a picnic in summer? Pack finger foods for picnics and outings using fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables, nuts, chicken pieces eggs or precooked seafood. Food that is quick and easy to pick up and eat in your fingers doesn’t have to be fried or high in fat and sugar.
No oven dinners
Prepare simple food on hot days that doesn’t need cooking or a lot of extra preparation. Remember, a simple wrap, tinned salmon or tuna or a bowl of fruit and yoghurt can still be the basis of a great meal.
Quality family and friend time
Diarise regular time to spend with those you love. It could be a weekly family dinner, regular movie night, or a bike ride followed by a picnic in the park.
A good night’s sleep
Sleep disturbance affects most of us at some point. Ask yourself whether you need to change a few of your habits to get a good night’s sleep. Sometimes a change in routine is all it takes.
Motivation
Motivation comes from feeling successful. Tackle health challenges in small steps, making changes one at a time. If you get off track, pick yourself up and start again without the guilt.
Making changes – where to start
Not sure where to start and feeling overwhelmed? Keep a diary over a week and write down your habits and what you do every day. Think of some creative ways you could make small changes in your life. Try one and see how it goes.
“Making change is not easy and there’s never a good time to start,” says Terrill. “My best tip is to choose one thing that you feel confident you can do fairly easily and give it a go. Once you’ve achieved a small success, celebrate and build new small steps and challenges until you’re doing it naturally most of the time.”
Source: balancebydeborahhutton.com.au