Most of us are interested in improving our health, and there’s no reason why 2016 shouldn’t be the year you do it. If you want to live a long and happy life, here are some ways you can improve your health this year:
Quit Smoking
Smoking is one of the worst things you can do if you want to be around to see your children have their kids. Along with being a huge waste of money, it’s antisocial and many bars and restaurants have banned smoking indoors or within a certain distance of the entrance of the bar- leaving smokers out in the cold both figuratively and literally.
If you’re of the opinion that you’ve been smoking for years so you’ve probably ruined your lungs anyway, you’re actually incorrect- the younger you are when you quit smoking, the more your body can reverse the damage to your lungs and prevent heart disease.
Swap Food
We all have some foods that we simply can’t live without. For many people this is food like chocolate and other sweets, cheese, chips and carbs. A few simple swaps can make you feel like you’re getting to eat your favourites, so you’ll be more likely to stick to a meal plan and less likely to throw in the towel and binge on naughty food. If you love a certain dip, swap out pretzels for carrots and celery and you’ll get the crunch without the calories, and you can also browse food blogs and websites like Pinterest for easy, healthy swaps that you’ll love.
Reduce Temptation
If you’re focusing on healthy eating this year, it’s a good idea to reduce temptation and resist buying high-calorie foods. By having them in your home you’re increasing the risk that you’ll end up treating yourself “because you deserve it” or having a cheat day because you’re stressed. Remove these unhealthy foods from your fridge and pantry and replace them with healthy food so you don’t ruin all your hard work while sitting in front of the TV.
Get Active
Getting fit takes time, and if you’re not the type to slog it out in the gym you may feel like health and fitness just aren’t for you. But there are plenty of ways you can increase your fitness without feeling like you’re on the Biggest Loser.
Consider setting some goals, since studies have shown that people who have attainable goals are far more likely to continue getting fit. Maybe you’ve always wanted to run a half marathon or get your black belt in a martial art. Write it down and take the first step to making it happen- sign up for a 5km race a few months from now so you have time to train or find a martial arts class close to home.
Simply getting outdoors and enjoying the fresh air is a great way to improve your health and fitness, so turn off the tv and go for a walk or hike in the weekends.
If you need to make 2016 the year you meet your health and fitness goals, check out Chi Of Life, a health retreat which can help you shed kilos and get into a healthy mindset so you can meet your goals.