Happy New Year from Home to Home! We hope you’ve had a relaxing and fulfilling holiday season. Getting back into the groove after the holidays of usual life can be a challenge. Here are some tips for getting healthy and heading off to a good start to 2016.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking water is so important for the body, especially if you’re trying to lose weight. It aids in every cell, every tissue, maintains your body’s temperature, and is involved with many other bodily processes.To stay hydrated, make sure that you drink at least 6 glasses of 8 ounce glasses a day. Be careful of sugary beverages or caffeinated beverages which can dehydrate you more – best to stick with the good ol’ fashioned water.
Wait for Cravings to Pass, or Satisfy it with a Healthy Alternative
Really want something sweet? Many cravings have been shown to last for only 10 minutes. If you wait for a short while, there’s a big chance the craving will pass. If you’re still feeling the craving, you can satisfy it with a healthy alternative like a piece of fruit.
Bundle up and go for a Walk
If you’re still in holiday mode and feeling sociable, try bundling up and going for a walk with family or friends. Sometimes with the colder weather, it’s hard to motivate yourself to go outside. If you’re not keen on the cold, you can try a walk on the treadmill at the gym, or do some aerobic exercises at home.
Easy on the Alcohol
After the holiday season, one of the easiest ways to get healthy again is to cut back on the drinks. One glass of wine has approximately 160 calories and a pint of beer about 180 calories. So be mindful of what you’re consuming!
Set Realistic Goals
Starting off the year with grand goals is tempting. Some years we achieve our resolutions, and some years we don’t. Make sure to set yourself up for success by setting up goals you know are within reach. If it’s a weight related goal – think one or two pounds over the course of a few weeks, rather than a lot of weight at once. If you have a blood pressure or blood sugar goal – break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks. This allows you to take your larger goals, step by step.
And Remember… Relax!
It may be after the holidays, but you’re definitely allowed to still take time for yourself. Catching up can be challenging, but make sure to set aside some time to relax. Research has shown that people who are more stressed have a harder time staying healthy.
Getting healthy isn’t something that happens overnight, and shouldn’t be something that is done in all at once. Incremental goal setting, portion control, and healthy actions are a great start to getting back on track after the holidays.
Happy New Year everyone!