Getting healthier doesn’t mean you have to turn from a couch potato into a marathon runner overnight. Often, it’s the little tweaks that can make a big difference in your overall health. The aim should be to create lasting lifestyle changes rather than temporary ones that might not stick.
By being realistic about your lifestyle, you can introduce small changes that improve your overall health. Adjusting the way you shop for groceries, how you think about exercise, the drinks you choose, and focusing on your positive habits can all lead to better health.
Fad diets can be tough because they might help you lose a lot of weight quickly, but keeping that weight off is hard because these methods aren’t sustainable. Juice cleanses, for example, aren’t meant to be permanent.
Instead of focusing on a specific diet, think about food differently. Go through your usual shopping list and make some easy swaps. Replace sweets with dark chocolate and fruit when you’re craving a treat. Identify your weaknesses and find healthier alternatives. If walking through grocery aisles tempts you to grab unhealthy foods, try shopping online where impulse buys are less likely.
It can be helpful to plan your meals for the week or two weeks ahead and shop based on that plan. When you’re shopping, be mindful of what’s going in your cart. You don’t have to make huge changes like cutting out dairy completely or never making your favorite dishes again—just be more aware of what you’re buying. Make less-healthy meals less frequently, and you’ll likely notice improvements in your health.
Being active is key to being healthy, but exercise doesn’t have to be traditional. Finding something you enjoy is crucial. You don’t need to run or even go to the gym.
Adding any type of physical activity to your lifestyle can significantly benefit your health. Take a 10-minute walk during breaks a few times a week, walk your dog around the neighborhood, or use a bike for short commutes. Park farther away in parking lots to add a bit more movement into your day. If intense exercise isn’t your thing or mobility is an issue, low-impact activities can still help keep you moving.
You don’t need to become a different person to improve your health. Even if you don’t like exercise, a simple 10 minutes of activity can be great, especially if you see it as a break rather than forced exercise.
It’s easy to overlook the drinks we consume daily when most focus is on food. However, beverages can be loaded with calories and sugars that don’t do much good. They often have little nutritional value, just empty calories.
Swapping out some unhealthy drinks for better choices can enhance your health without a huge lifestyle change. You don’t need to eliminate them completely; simply cutting back a few days a week and opting for water instead can make a difference. For instance, reserve coffee with cream and sugar for weekends. It’s all about finding small changes that fit your lifestyle.
Creating a schedule for your healthy habits can make them easier to follow. Perhaps you walk the dog on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, and spend time gardening on Wednesdays. Such commitments are easier to stick to than vague promises like “walk a couple of times this week.” Even with a busy schedule, it’s doable—especially if you choose an activity you enjoy that also reduces stress.
Make similar plans for other health aspects too. Spend Sundays preparing meals and writing down meal plans for the week, reducing the temptation to stray from your goals. Include time for downtime or meditation in your schedule for self-care. Just like you schedule other aspects of your life, scheduling healthy habits can help you stay on track.
When thinking about health improvements, it’s easy to fixate on what you’re not doing rather than recognize what you are achieving. Remember, working towards better health is something to celebrate. Comparing yourself to others, focusing on what more you could do, or stressing over any lack of progress can hurt your motivation and mental health.
Maybe you didn’t take all your planned walks this week, but you ate well and walked the dog—that’s still a step toward a healthier lifestyle. That’s the difference between making lifestyle changes and short-lived changes. In real life, you might miss a few workouts or have dessert sometimes.
Being realistic about your goals and celebrating small victories is important. For older adults, exercise can be especially challenging, but the benefits of making the effort are worthwhile—even if it’s gardening instead of lifting weights. Health isn’t the same for everyone; it’s crucial to remember this, especially when trying to maintain a positive outlook on your journey towards a healthier lifestyle.
Health doesn’t have a specific weight or age. It’s not defined by how much you can lift or how far you can run. Everyone’s health journey is different. When aiming for better health, focus on changes you can sustain over the long haul. These changes don’t have to be big—simple actions like planning healthy meals and reducing soda intake can make a difference. Celebrate your progress, work on making healthier choices, and find what suits you to start living a healthier lifestyle today.
