10 Easy Steps to Kickstart Your Health Journey

Welcome to 2024.

Year after year, resolutions involving health, fitness, weight loss and eating healthier top the list.

How about you? Do you have you some health goals to work on in this New Year?

In case you do or are considering it, here are 10 easy steps to help you begin—and stick with—your health journey. Choose one or two that resonate with you to get started.

1. As you plan your schedule to exercise, begin slowly and set realistic expectations. Simple things like parking farther away from your destination, taking the stairs, getting to the gym a couple times a week, taking a 10 or 15-minute walk during your break, all add up to increasing your fitness level.
2. Limit Processed Foods and Sugars: Try to reduce the intake of processed foods, sugary snacks, and beverages. Complete denial may lead to a binge later in January. Make allowances for those special treats—but only when they’re AMAZING!
3. Have you been drinking plenty of water? Hydration is important for every bodily function. Take your weight and divide by two. Try to drink that amount in ounces throughout the day. Invest in a water bottle that makes keeping track fun and easy.

   

4. While extreme diets are not recommended, you may benefit by adding an extra vegetable and/or fruit into your day. No one has ever come to me saying that they gained weight because they ate too many vegetables and fruits. It’s usually chips, cookies, wine, etc.
5. Cook at Home More Often: Cooking at home gives you control over ingredients and portion sizes, promoting healthier eating habits.
6. Prioritize Sleep: Good sleep is essential for health. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to help your body repair and recover.
7. Include lean protein in your day. Skinless poultry, wild-caught fish, beans, lentils, peas, lean beef, bison, powdered peanut butter, plain Greek yogurt are a few examples of good protein sources.
8. Check in with your stress levels. Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga. Managing stress is crucial for both mental and physical health.
9. Track Your Progress: Keep a journal or use an app to track your progress. Monitoring your achievements can be highly motivating and help you stay on track.
10. Seek Support: Grab an accountability buddy, tell your family your plan, make a bet that you really don’t want to lose to help motivate you to stick with your resolution, explore working with your favorite health coach.

BONUS STEP: Book your 30-minute complimentary health coaching consultation and we’ll create a simple plan to get your year off to a great start. (This offer is good for individuals and couples. Yes, I coach couples!) Shoot me an email if you’re interested.

May 2024 bring you an abundance of blessings and good health~

Sending you love,
Health Coach Carol

“New year—a new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? Ultimately we write it. The choice is ours.”– Alex Morritt