So many people struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle because they jump straight into a new routine that isn’t right for them. Obviously, it’s good to have the right passion and motivation to live a healthier life, but you can’t rush a permanent lifestyle. If you have to make big changes to your life then it’s better to make them slowly. Otherwise, you might find yourself immediately slipping back into old habits when you find it too hard to stick to your new routine. If you’ve not been jogging for years and you suddenly attempt a 5k run, for example, then you’ll probably struggle and find yourself deterred from trying again. Gradual lifestyle changes can benefit your long-term wellbeing, and here are some pieces of advice that might help with this.
Do a little bit of daily exercise.
Continuing from the point raised in the introduction, starting a strenuous workout routine might be too difficult for you if you’ve been leading a relatively sedentary lifestyle. In fact, it can be dangerous to push your body beyond its capabilities; you might end up damaging muscles or ligaments. It’s better to take the gradual approach. Start by going for a 10-minute jog every day. You could head around your local park or even jog on the spot in your living room if you’re very busy before work every morning. The point is that you need to get yourself into a consistent routine. Exercise isn’t about burning yourself out in the gym for hours; it’s about keeping your body physically active. And this doesn’t just have benefits for your waistline. It’ll help to keep your heart and your mind healthy. A little bit of daily exercise will completely change your mindset, and you’ll find it much easier to stick to all aspects of your healthy lifestyle.
If you’re still finding it tough to get started then you might want to check out https://www.isatrim.co.nz/isagenix-30-day-cleanse-weight-loss/ for a 30-day cleanse that could help you lose some fat and regain a healthy weight. For some people, the most difficult part of starting a new exercise routine is dealing with their existing body shapes. If you’re in bad shape then working out can be tough at first, but it might also be a case of low self-esteem. Many people struggle to start exercising because they don’t want to be seen in public. But that’s why gradual steps are so important. If you start by exercising in the comfort of your own home (with a treadmill, for example) then you can start jogging in the park or going to the gym once you’re comfortable with your results.
Find a diet you can maintain.
If you want to find a diet you can maintain then you need to forget fad diets. Too many people want to take the easy route when it comes to achieving the perfect figure, but the easy route won’t give you long-term health results. In fact, it often isn’t a very healthy route at all. As explained over at https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/how-to-diet/, cutting important food out of your diet is unhealthy. A restrictive diet will make you lose weight, but it won’t do your physical or mental wellbeing any favours. And you’ll just end up bouncing back to your original diet anyway; at which point, you’ll pile the pounds back on. Instead of unhealthily fluctuating between weights, you need to find a permanent dietary plan.
Whilst you might see slow results from healthy long-term diets, those results will last. The core message in this article is that gradual lifestyle changes can benefit your long-term wellbeing, and that’s definitely the case when it comes to your eating patterns. Don’t be afraid of carbohydrates or calories. Often, low-carb diets are high in fat. And low-fat foods are often filled with excessive amounts of sugar and salt to compensate. The point is that a healthy diet is balanced. Rather than searching for food that is “low” in certain vitamins or nutrients, you need to search for food that gives you a healthy balance of everything. You need plenty of protein, carbs, calcium, and iron in your diet to keep your body and mind sustained. You might want to start switching meats for Quorn and other protein alternatives. You could also start eating wholegrain foods such as wholemeal bread to keep you fuller for longer. Start thinking smartly about the food you eat.
Sleep properly.
You should also try sleeping properly if you want to see a long-term improvement to your physical and mental wellbeing. Rest is one of the most important facts in your health. It gives your body and mind the chance to recover after a long day. Yet, so many people dismiss the importance of sleep. But if you want your muscles to repair properly after a long workout and your metabolism to remain fast (so that food can be digested quickly) then you need to prioritize a good night’s rest. Sleep deprivation can weaken your immune system and even affect mental health. There are many reasons to start sleeping properly if you want to benefit your long-term wellbeing. As we’ve discussed before, if you’re struggling then you could even increase the magnesium in your diet to help you sleep more easily.
Cut out bad habits.
Another gradual lifestyle change that will benefit your long-term health is cutting out bad habits. Adopting healthy habits in your daily routine (such as eating well and exercising) will improve your wellbeing. However, your good work will be undone if you maintain unhealthy habits. As mentioned in the point above, sleeping badly can negatively impact your digestive system and your muscle repair. This is just one example of unhealthy behaviour that can ruin even the healthiest daily routine. Making a change is all about taking small steps in the right direction. If you drink too much then you could wean yourself off with diluted beverages (or non-alcoholic alternatives with a similar flavour). If you smoke too much then you could try e-cigarettes or vaping. The “cold turkey” route works for some, but a gradual lifestyle change is more achievable for others.
Not every bad habit instantly shows its damaging impact, either. You shouldn’t wait for signs that your health is bad before you quit unhealthy habits. For example, as explained at https://www.bbc.co.uk/science/0/22019289, eating certain types of junk food can seriously increase your bad cholesterol. It could put you at risk of heart disease in the future. Even if you follow the dietary advice given earlier in this article, healthy meals can be counteracted by too many unhealthy snacks. Obviously, we’re all allowed the occasional treat, but moderation is the key to a healthy life. If you over-consume anything then it’s bad for you (even certain things that might be deemed healthy). If you’ve developed bad habits then gradually cutting them out of your life will benefit your long-term wellbeing. It’s never too early or too late to start reducing your unhealthy behaviour.
Improving your long-term wellbeing requires dedication. Forget fad diets and other shortcuts. You won’t see any real changes to your health if you try to cut corners. There is no cheating a healthy life. You just need to find ways to change your daily routine so that it’s healthier for you in the long-run. Once you’ve made “healthy living” a part of your life, you won’t have to see it as a chore. It’ll become natural.
Mandy X
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
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