We can all be healthier, but in a busy world where convenience is increasingly valued over anything else, it can be extremely difficult to keep track of what you should be doing to look after yourself. It’s important to keep in mind a few lifestyle maxims that you can look to for basic guidance.
Remember what’s important
Modern diet trends have all too often been “fad” based, designed without rigorous scientific backing and instead relying on good marketing to convince us of their efficacy. The truth is that we’ve known the answer to having a healthy diet all along, and getting back to basics is the key. Balancing regular exercise with a wholesome diet that’s heavy on natural, unprocessed foods is all it takes to get on the path to a healthier life.
Incremental shifts in behaviour work better than radical changes
Suddenly deciding one day to replace all the unhealthy junk in your house with celery might work initially, but it’s not a long-term solution for most people. Sweeping changes that radically alter your life will feel jarring and are often unsustainable if you’ve gotten used to having unhealthy food in the house, or regularly in your diet. Far more sustainable is gradual change that takes into account the fact that you’re human, and can’t flip your life upside down overnight. Start with small goals. Cut down on sugar in tea and coffee. Don’t have ice cream for the occasional dessert, but swap it for an alternative like greek yoghurt and fresh fruit. Once you implement each new change, use them until they’ve become new habits, and then you can bring in another change.
Seeking help isn’t failure
Making changes to your life in any capacity is hard, especially when it comes to lifestyle. Accepting that it’s going to be challenging is part of the journey, but remember that you don’t have to go it alone. A strong support network will help, and if you’re struggling, a nutrition and lifestyle coach to provide you with professional support and advice along the way might be the answer you’re looking for!
