Do you ever have the feeling that you’d like to be in better shape? Maybe you’d like to be more active or feel less tired. There are a lot of good reasons to be healthier, and there are just as many ways to get that way.
While this might not sound simple, asking a few questions before you get started can help you set goals and come up with a solid plan. Changing one or two things at a time will pay off, and a few small changes over time will make a big difference.
What are Your Health Goals?
Deciding to get healthier isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. There are a lot of reasons to get in better shape, and yours might be completely different than your friends’ or neighbors’ reasons. If you want to feel healthier, lose some weight, and cut down on fatigue, a few small changes to your diet might be enough. For some advice on healthy meal choices take a look at websites like the Kitchen Community. Changing your diet can seem formidable, but you might be surprised what adding a new healthy choice or two each week could do for your energy level.
If being more active is your goal, look into starting a simple exercise routine. And simple means doing anything more active than you are right now. If you aren’t usually very active, start going for an evening walk around your neighborhood. Maybe take a lunchtime stroll. If you already do this, consider adding a more strenuous hike or longer bicycle ride on the weekend. Investing in a regular small amount of activity will pay big dividends over time. You don’t have to start training for a marathon to feel better every day. Just keep with it, and you’ll be feeling better in no time.
How Do You Take the First Step?
Thinking about getting healthy is one thing, taking that first step is another. Sometimes thinking long and hard about starting a new regimen builds it up to an insurmountable hurdle. There are a few ways to get yourself over that first step, and into a routine that will get you feeling better.
If diet is part of your concern, find a recipe that sounds good, and put the ingredients on your shopping list. Set a date on the calendar, but not too far out. Once you make that first new meal, make it a weekly event. You could make every Tuesday new recipe night, and come up with some new healthy meal to help you toward your goal.
You can do something similar with an exercise plan. Set your start date, and do something you enjoy. Start easy, and keep with it. If you try to go from no activity to a full workout, you might be discouraged, but keeping it slow and steady can keep you motivated to do more. Just know that it will take some time. After a while, you’ll look back and see how much better you’re feeling.
If you keep your goals simple you can make a lot of progress. If you stop to think about your goals before you get started, you can come up with a plan to reach them in reasonable steps. Follow those steps, and you’ll be feeling better in no time.
