You know by now that one of my favorite things is to break down fitness into bite-size chunks that make sense in an average daily life. So much of what’s out there is way too complicated, or far too faddish, or just plain wackadoo. “Average life” is busy enough — throw a family into the mix, and things can sometimes get way too hectic to count grams of carbs or anything else.
So, here are 8 fast, simple ways to begin today getting healthier on the inside and hotter on the outside! Don’t feel you have to tackle all 8 at once — try adding just one a week to your usual routine.
Start now, and within 3 weeks, you’ll realize significant changes in your health and well-being.
These are in no particular order — feel free to pick and choose. Consider starting with either the easiest (if you have a tough time getting started on things) or the hardest (if your challenge is sticking with a new habit).
- Fill 2/3 of each meal plate with vegetables and/or fruits — I’m talking about the real, unprocessed stuff y’all. Applesauce and broccoli Rice-A-Roni don’t count.
- Eat as many different colors (of real food, not dyes) as you can each day. Keep track of your ‘rainbow’ with markers in a calendar.
- Reserve meat as a condiment or side item, and shift it out of the “main event” spotlight. When you’re ready, skip meat altogether at some meals.
- Have fish twice a week. Whatever you enjoy will work; check the Georgia Aquarium’s handy wallet guide to safe fish, or the EWG’s recommendations on the healthiest (and potentially dangerous) varieties.
- Eat whole grains, especially ancient grains like quinoa, spelt, amaranth, etc.
- Nix factory foods. If it had to be in a factory, it’s probably not the best food for you. (Here’s an earlier post referencing the same rule and others.)
- Limit alcohol to a maximum of 1 drink per day (for women) or 2 per day (for men). Better yet, save it for just a few times a week, if at all.
- HIIT it! That is, add High Intensity Interval Training to your workouts*. Check this post on Tabata training, this guest post from Todd Hancock at MODO Fitness, or this one on getting off the couch and into a run.
Obviously, this could be a much longer list — there are all kinds of other ideas that can improve your health. I’m suggesting these are some of the highest-impact, simplest ways to add healthy habits to your daily life without taking out much else.
What do you think?
Which one will you choose first?
Which would you most likely suggest to a loved one?
