There are just a few days left in 2015, and just a few days before New Year’s Resolutions begin. I find that whenever I’m trying to make a change- whether it’s starting a new habit or breaking one- I do a much better job of it when I am prepared. I’ll be spending the next week preparing for the new year and my overall goal for the year- to improve my health!
If you’re focusing on your health in 2016 {whether that means losing weight, getting more active or just eating healthier foods} there are some ways that you can prep now to get yourself ahead- and stay ahead of- your resolutions! {Even if you’re starting in June!}
1. Meal plan. It’s so easy to give into temptation when you don’t know what your next meal is. Whether you stop for fast food or dip into the kid’s food, you’re setting yourself up for failure by not thinking ahead. Every Sunday, I fill out my meal planner {download it for free here} and hit the store for everything I need for the week. This means I’m not scrambling to prepare something, and it also means that I have food at home that will go bad if I don’t eat it. That’s a huge incentive to me to stick to my plan!
2. Make it easy to work out. If you have a gym membership at a beautiful gym but it’s miles out of your way, you’re likely never going to go. I actually prefer working out at home, using fitness DVDs or even websites that have workouts on them. You can find a lot of great ones out there for whatever you like to do. You can even find some for free on YouTube!
3. Get support. Getting healthy can feel like a very personal battle- and that makes sense, because you’re the only one who can decide what you do. That said, telling a few close friends & family members can often help keep you motivated. Having a few trusted loved ones who know ahead of time can make things easier in the long run.
4. Drink water. Lots and lots of water. This is one that I struggle with, even though {or maybe because?} I grew up in the desert. Eating the right food and getting exercise are so important, but drinking enough water is equally important. Every system in your body is dependent on you drinking water and trying to make big changes with your body can be shocking to it. Make sure you’re adequately hydrating- especially if you’re beginning to exercise {or increasing how often you do it}.
5. Don’t go anywhere without a snack. You could be sticking to your meal plan perfectly and enjoying lots of delicious, healthy food- but you don’t always know when hunger is going to strike. Make sure you always have a good choice of snack on hand. Make sure you grab something easy and portable to ensure there are no roadblocks keeping you from being able to enjoy it- and making you even more hungry later.