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It’s seems everybody is looking for a quick fix to their problems, but let me tell you a secret: slowly adopting healthy habits will be more effective than any quick fix!
We’re all looking for results, aren’t we? We’re all looking to accomplish things we’ve never done before or seen others done. Overwhelm can set in easily when you look at your the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Changing your habits is the key to changing your reality.
Kind of cheesy I know, but we love dairy here at Definitely(ish)!
Let me tell you a secret: 2020 has been my best year ever!
This year has had more drama than all 4 years I was in theatre school, but despite all the terrible things that have happened, this has been a great year for me! I’m truly not trying to rub it in, instead I want to share with you the things that have made such an impact on me. Adopting healthy habits has been a constant point of focus for me. It’s been a slow process, but it’s made such an impact.
How Do you Implement Healthy Habits?
It’s all good to talk about healthy habits in theory, but it’s so hard to actually do them! So how do you start? Only do one at a time. See how you like it, and then go from there. The habits that I have now work for my life, but that’s not to say that they won’t be changing in the next month or year. If you start a new habit and hate it, you don’t have to do it!
I like to think of it as a game too. What can I do to improve myself, even just 1%? What can I focus on this week to feel and think better? Is there something I wish to achieve that haven’t yet? What steps can I take today?
Ok, some of these may be kind of stupid! Some may relate to physical healthy, work-life balance, or emotional and mental healthy. But here we go!
1. Drinking Coffee With A Straw
Ok, I told you this was going to be weird, but also SO EASY! I have always struggled with having stained teeth, but I never wanted to give up drinking coffee for it. I knew it was because of the copious amount of black coffee I drink, because I’ve tried all the things! Charcoal toothpaste, baking soda, white strips. Let me tell you, it is not instantaneous, but drinking coffee through a straw has done the trick! I use these straws from Amazon all the time. I felt kind of silly at first, but it protects my teeth so I’m all for it now!
2. Putting Away Devices 1 Hr Before Bed
DO NOT SCROLL PAST THIS! I know you have heard this a hundred times, but let me tell you sis. This. Works! I won’t pretend to be an expert on blue light and how it effects your sleep, you’ve heard it all before. All I know is that I was looking for ways to improve my sleep, tried it, and my sleep has changed completely!
So basically, even if you already feel tired, limiting your exposure to blue light a half-hour to an hour before bed will improve your quality of sleep. After a truly terrible night of sleep, I put this to practice, and I haven’t stopped. During my last hour before I go to bed is when I’ll do my chores, pack my lunch, and read a little before bed. I’ve even found that I can get up a full 45 minutes earlier to be productive in the morning, when before, I’d barely had my eyes open on my drive to work!
3. Reading Every day
Even if it’s just for 10 minutes, reading is such a great healthy habit! As mentioned above, I put away devices about an hour before bed. 10 minutes of reading a book is usually enough to put me right to sleep! Best part about this is that it doesn’t really matter what kind of book you’re reading. Even if it’s just a fluff novel or a boring non-fiction, your brain and your body will thank you.
If you love learning like me, reading is a great way to learn some new things. While I love to read before bed, but I also love listening to audiobooks at work or while I’m getting ready. It’s such a better thing to consume instead of hours of scrolling on social media or watching the news. Current read: The Road Back to You. It’s a good read if you’re at all into the Enneagram!
4. Eating a Massive Breakfast
I used to practice intermittent fasting, but I came to realize there simply is not enough research on the long term effects of intermittent fasting on females who menstruate. I would really caution anyone who wanted to try intermittent fasting to do their homework on some of the possible negative effects first.
So instead I now eat a MASSIVE breakfast everyday! This is such a better alternative and fits my lifestyle so well! Eating a big breakfast can stabilize your hunger for the rest of the day. You will be less likely to binge on treats at the end of the night. You’re hunger will be stabilized throughout the day and you can get some vital nutrients right at the start of the day.
When I mean a big breakfast, I mean minimum 500 calories! If you need some inspiration on big breakfast ideas, please check out my foodstagram! Breakfast is my favorite thing to post!
5. Working Out Consistently
The pandemic kind of threw a wrench in my normal work-out routine, but I guess that’s exactly what I needed. Before, I was kind of haphazardly working out 3-4 times a week. Since I wanted to progress towards my fitness goals and I knew things would be even harder, I upped the ante. I now have a consistent 4-5 days a week workout routine, but for the most part, I train pretty intuitively.
Working out consistently is an amazing way to teach you to go after your goals. Since developing a consistent workout routine, I’ve been able to gain some muscle, improve my endurance, and I even think it’s been a strong factor in keeping my stress levels manageable. I’ve even noticed a difference in my skin and digestion.
6. Walking More
This is the first time in my life I’ve lived within walking distance of enough shops for pretty much all my needs. My gym, Target, Starbucks, you name it! When I have the time, I absolutely love taking these walks to go work out or get some essentials. (Or ice cream if need be!). It’s just an added way to be a more active person.
I’ve also started walking during my breaks at work. Since I work a desk job, my options to live an active lifestyle are pretty limited, but I love finding small moments to get active. Even if it just means walking to the end of the street while I eat my protein bar, I love being active in the midst of all the time at my desk.
7. Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar
I know a lot of people think it’s gross, but I’ve actually learned to really love the taste of apple cider vinegar! I won’t pretend to be an expert on the benefits of ACV, but I know it aids in digestion and helps regulate blood glucose levels. Some people drink it to aid in their weight loss journey or help clear their skin. I dilute 1-2 tablespoons in a glass of water and usually sip on it while making dinner. It’s a nice replacement for a glass of wine during the week! (Is that weird?? I don’t care!)
Listen though: you wanna get the good stuff. My mom has been drinking apple cider vinegar for years and she says you only want to go with Bragg’s. Not only is it the highest quality, but it taste and smells the best. I couldn’t even bring myself to taste some of the off-brand apple cider vinegar, it smelled so bad in comparison. No wonder people say they hate it if that’s what they’re drinking!
8. Waking up 45 Minutes Early
Ok, you may not think this is absolutely the easiest thing to do, but hear me out! If you prioritize healthy habit #2 on this list, this will be easy. I wake up about 45 minutes earlier than I used to so I can work on whatever I choose. (Usually it’s this blog :D) It’s my absolute favorite time of day! I feel the most focused because my brain hasn’t been filled with anything from the day yet. Not to mention there are hardly any distractions that early (I work at 7am y’all!). Not that I take a super long time to get ready, but it’s nice to not have to rush out the door too.
9. Eating More Veggies
How many times have you been told this in your life? So many people want to get healthy, but focus first on things they have to cut out of their diet. Focus on adding veggies first! I’ve been trying to get my two servings of veggies in a day. I love it because my plates are much more colorful and I feel more full. In lay-mans terms, I believe the recommendation is to have at least half your plate be made up of veggies.
Not sure where to start besides simple raw veggies? Frozen veggies will be your best friend! It’s so easy to just pop some frozen veggies in the toaster oven or on a skillet with some olive oil and salt and call it good! You can easily put frozen veggies in your smoothies too. I even got a Zoodler (zucchini’s are my best friend these days!). It’s so satisfying to think you’re eating a big bowl of pasta, but you’re actually getting your veggies in for the day!
Not a nutritionist here, but this way of eating veggies is sooo much healthier than just a “greens suppliment.” I’m not saying green juices or powders are bad, but you can’t down a green powder and then eat whatever you want for the rest of the day. The main reason I eat veggies is to feel full! Don’t skip them!
10. Not caring What Others Think
Ok, I know I said these healthy habits were “easy” but I think this one might be the hardest one on this list. This habit is on here because it’s the most important! So consider this a friendly reminder that you should not care about the opinions of others.
It is a very stressful year for everyone and anxiety is running rampant. You may be making some big choices this year that will effect the rest of your life. You could be embarking on a new side hustle venture or moving across the country. Other’s opinions seem to carry a lot of weight, but they should never mean more to you than your own gut instincts!
You know, even getting healthy by using some of these habits could be met with skepticism from others. Misery loves company, you know? You might be the friend that prioritizes sleep, so you can’t stay up watching TV all night with others. When everyone else is complaining about falling off their fitness regime, you might not have anything to say. Don’t ever feel discouraged for wanting the best for yourself.
Ok y’all! I hope these healthy habits inspire you to mix things up! So please let me know what kind of healthy habits you’ll be implementing!
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