"Healthy" has a lot of different definitions, especially to each person. Being healthy is not always about being skinny or eating kale for every meal. These are just a few ways I like to stay healthy and be the best version of myself I can be.
1. Join a class.
There are so many different options out there when it comes to workout classes. If you like to dance, try Zumba. If you like to bike and do squats, try SoulCycle. If you do not have much time to workout, try a HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workout class. If you are unable to join or get to a gym, there are also many options, such as videos you can watch and do at home.
2. Find a healthy food you like and eat it often.
What many people do not know is that your eating habits are just as important as exercising when it comes to staying healthy or losing weight. You can exercise for five hours a day, but if you come home and have a Coke, a cheeseburger and an ice cream cone for dinner, essentially, you are getting no where. Try finding a healthy food you enjoy to eat and eat it almost every day. If you like bananas, eat one for breakfast every morning. If you like salad and grilled chicken, have that for lunch or dinner.
3. Learn to love running.
I cannot stress enough how amazing running is. Whether you jog a mile or two a week or eight miles a day, running has so many benefits. Not only will it keep you in shape and tone up your body, but it also helps make your heart healthier and your joints stronger. Running is also a great way to relieve stress and clear your mind. Try finding a scenic running path (such as the metroparks or a state park) to help you stay motivated and busy during your run.
4. Cut out pop and late night snacking.
I cannot stress enough how unhealthy pop is. There is no nutritional value to pop. It causes dehydration, ruins your teeth, raises your blood pressure, leads to kidney, heart and reproduction issues and links to obesity. If you are currently a pop drinker, try cutting out pop for just a week. You will see the changes in your body and never turn back. Research has shown that late night snacking is not the best for your body. Healthy snacking during the day is actually good for your body, but that midnight snack, not so much. During the day, our metabolism is in full swing, but at night, our metabolism begins to slow down. Those two cookies you ate before bed are now sitting in your stomach all night instead of getting broke down like they would during the day. A good rule I like to follow is no snacking after 9 p.m.
5. Get a workout buddy.
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It is much easier to run that extra mile or to wake up at 7 a.m. for your spin class when you have a friend to do it with you. Having a workout buddy will encourage you and motivate you to keep going, and it makes a perfect excuse to get a healthy brunch after your workout.
6. Start your day out right.
An easy way to get motivated for a healthy day is to start out doing something positive! Start your day with a homemade fruit smoothie or a small workout, even if it is 20 push-ups and 20 sit-ups. If you have time in the morning, do a three mile run. Early mornings are my favorite time to run since it is not too hot yet. Exercising in the morning or starting out with a healthy breakfast will set the mood for the rest of your day.
Losing weight and looking good are just a few benefits from being "healthy," but we should all want to be healthy for the sole purpose of taking care of our bodies and being the best we can be!
