How to Start Eating Healthy and Exercising? People frequently ask me how they can begin eating healthier. Where do I even begin? What am I going to omit? And why do I have a craving for junk food? All valid questions, in my opinion, with a surprisingly simple response. Nothing should be discarded. Don’t limit yourself. And, most emphatically, do not punish yourself because you ate a bagel during your morning meeting! Geeze! The “crowding out strategy” is what I usually advocate for coaching clients. That is, rather than abstaining from “carbs” for 30 days (can you even understand what that means?! ), simply ADD IN some healthy food. I guarantee you’ll be astounded at how far that gets you! It also helps to be free of “guilt”!
Assume you enjoy a salty, crunchy platter stuffed with cheese, such as nachos. OK, no issue, but let’s add some beans, fresh cilantro, and a few avocado slices to that. We’re having a conversation now! You can still have the salty/crunchy/cheesy – just mix it with the nice stuff!
How to Start Eating Healthy and Exercising?
Eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly can help control or prevent the onset of ageing-related health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Establish short-term goals for achieving and maintaining a healthy diet and exercise habits.
Make the following five guidelines a daily priority:
- Aim to be active for at least 30 minutes every day of the week.
- Consume a lot of fruits and veggies.
- Select foods low in added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.
- Choose whole grains, lean protein sources, and dairy items.
- Exercise should include all four types of exercise: endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility.
Or anything akin to a burger – pile it high with LTO! Lettuce, tomato, and onions, please! For this reason, In N’ Out Burger on the west coast is one of my favourite fast-food restaurants. If you look at one of their ordinary burgers, you’ll notice that it has just as much veg as it does beef or cheese. You should be chewing on as much raw plant material as you seem to be medium-rare beef! Want to go a step further? Instead of mayo or another spread, try crushed avocado on your baguette. That also works for sandwiches!
Perhaps you’ve had a stressful week and the pizza from your freezer is calling your name because it requires little to no effort. I understand! I, too, have those days! And if your kids are picky and you only get plain pizza, how about we add some fast peppers and onions on top? Is it too difficult to cut? A handful of spinach will suffice! Still quick and simple, with bread and cheese… Just with a bit more “healthy for you” thrown in!
Maybe you’re in the mood for some mac and cheese. Worse, your kids have persuaded you to make that boxed nonsense for supper because it’s their favourite. Fine. Add a couple of spoonfuls of squash/pumpkin puree to your bowl (and possibly theirs). Toss in a few broccoli florets if it doesn’t upset you to see them! You’re finally getting somewhere.
Whether it’s because life pushes you to eat something quick and inexpensive, your kids won’t let you eat healthily, or you’ve reached the age where you suddenly discover your body isn’t processing those fries the way it used to… Here are a few basic suggestions to get you started on getting your veggies in and upgrading some of your favourite go-to’s! Every little bit counts!
