A Late Start on a Healthy Lifestyle

Earlier this year, just about every Texan made New Year’s resolutions, and the majority of them were likely centered around being healthier. Your coworkers did it, your friends did it, and chances are you did too. Here we are six months in, so I want you to look at your circle of friends — who’s still getting fit and who’s back to the normal routine? Which group do you fit into? Don’t let this be a judgement — just an observation.

Don’t feel bad if you well off the wagon, as a recent survey suggests less than 10 percent of Americans achieve their resolutions. The number one reason people fail is because they stop. They stop eating healthier meals, they stop going to the gym, they stop drinking as much water, and so on. The best way to get back on track is to do. Whether you’re picking up where you left off or just getting started, here are some tips to help you build a happier healthier you.

Work Your Way Up

Instead of jumping off the deep end with a “no more fast food” mindset, you’ll have more success by limiting how often you have fast food instead. Try starting with eating out once a week for a while, then shift to only twice a month, and then once a month. This creates manageable, measurable steps you can keep track of along the way and you’ll be surprised at how much money you’ll save. The same theory applies to what you drink. If a person replaces one can of soda each day with water, they’ll cut out more than 60 cups of sugar and roughly 50,000 calories from their diet in a year. And yall wonder where diabetes comes from...

Replace, Replenish, Repeat

If you’re like most humans, there’s a high chance you’re mostly made of water (we all have that one thirsty ass friend). That water needs to be replenished pretty regularly — like multiple times a day — to keep the body at a proper fluid balance. Sodas and sports drinks do provide some refreshment, but they also come with unwanted sugar and calories. The smart move to make is to keep water close by. Keep a pitcher of infused water in the refrigerator and set goals for your water intake.

Get Active

Whether you started a new fitness plan back in January and fell off or you never got around to actually starting, it’s time to get up and get moving. There are plenty of ways to get active aside from going to a gym — but if you paid for it already, by all means, use it. Dance classes can be a great way to get your body moving and burn calories, and many communities have local sports leagues for basketball or soccer that can get you moving and making friends. If you do want more of a fitness-focused activity without the financial commitment of a gym membership, check out fitness apps and products that cater to what you’re looking for. My personal favorite is Moov Coach.

Snack Smart

One of the sneakiest pitfalls of getting healthy is snacking. Most people don’t think twice about a bag of chips every now and then or sour gummy worms during a movie, but your body keeps track of everything you feed it. Meal prep is generally the best way to combat this habit, but if you’re not ready to dive into all that, just me mindful of what you consume and try buying or making healthier snacks. If you work in an office or you’re still in school, pack some healthy snacks to keep you on track and take a bottle of water with you, so you have access to a healthy option whenever need it.