Health Habits For Life

By John Oxnard

When you are looking to lose weight and get fit, you can use all the help you can get.  Creating healthy lifestyle habits takes a long time and it can be easy to get discouraged.  However, there are some easy ways to get fit; sometimes all it takes is a small change to get you back on track to achieving your personal health goals.

One of the reasons people get discouraged when working towards new health habits is boredom.  After doing the same workout and following the same diet, things can get pretty dull and uninteresting.  This is the time to change it up a little!  Here are a few tips that can help you find new easy ways to get fit and stay that way.

First, take a look at your kitchen.  This is where many people begin making the change to a new, healthier life.  Your food is what gives you energy to take on every day, so it is the foundation that has to be examined when evaluating your health.  Chances are, you have already made some changes in your kitchen in order to meet your fitness and weight loss goals.  You have probably cut out the high fat, high calorie snacks and treats – and you are probably feeling a little bit deprived because of it!  Did you know that there are a number of desserts and snacks that are easy to prepare that don’t come with the high calorie content of all those pre-made treats?  Take a trip to a local bookstore or library.  There are lots of low fat, low sugar cookbooks out there that can guide you toward some tasty treats that are light on the calories.  Don’t be intimidated by your kitchen any longer!  Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying your favorite treats again, only this time without the junk!

If you have been cooking for a while, maybe it’s time to find a new cookbook to explore.  Consider taking a look at vegetarian cookbooks, or recipe collections that focus on your favorite regional cuisines.  Not every recipe in every cookbook is going to fit into your personal health goals, but with so many cookbooks available today, you will be able to find a book that does.  Don’t be afraid to branch out and try new things.  You might enjoy treating yourself to a new kitchen appliance or new knives, pots, and pans.  Having something new to use in the kitchen helps you stay focused on your health goals.

If you find yourself lagging behind your goals and feeling unmotivated, consider joining a fitness club or support group. One place you can start at is 24 hour fitness. They offer all kinds of clubs and fun classes that keep you motivated to reach your fitness goals.  The great thing clubs and classes is that you can talk to other people and learn the easy ways to get fit that worked for them.  You can share your triumphs and struggles and get understanding support from people who have been there, too.  Making new friends and cheering each other on is a great way to stay motivated and focused.

When you think about it, there are lots of easy ways to get fit that you may not have thought of.  All it takes is a little creative thinking and a willingness to try something new, and before you know it, you’ll be back on track.