How to Start a Healthier Lifestyle

You've decided that it is time to stop with the chips and dip in front of the couch and now would like to just feel better about your body. You have no idea where to begin, but know you can't keep this up. Well these tips are here to help you get started and while weight loss is something that is supposed to be slow and steady (just like how you gained the weight) this is a lifestyle change and as long as you keep to it, you'll do great and feel great regardless of the inches lost!

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tape measure
• Notebook

1. Go into your fridge and clean out everything that is over 15 grams of fat per serving.. if it is over 15 grams of fat then it is likely not that great for you. You may keep peanut butter as it is healthy and olive oil, but those should be used very sparingly.

2. I am a female and try to stay around 20 grams of fat a day for my diet and try to be around 1,500 calories for weight loss. You may want to talk to your doctor about what intake would be good for you, but whatever it is make sure you don't look at it like a "diet". I pretend that I no longer like those other foods like chips or cake. It helps me cope.

3. Get a support group. Whether it be online or in your life, have someone you can reach out to when you are struggling.

4. Walk! If you can walk to a place... do it!

5. Start out slow with your exercise routine and set goals for your self. I started out with walking for 10 minutes a day and when that felt fine, I bumped it up to 20 and so on. Once I hit 1 hour I try to see how far I can go in that hour. You get the idea. There are a lot of ways to set goals, but remember to be realistic too. If you can only do it three times a week for now that is fine, but make sure you do it.

6. Always have a healthy snack on hand.

7. Drink lots of water and cut out the soda and high calorie juices.

8. Don't beat yourself up over your new lifestyle. It is meant to be slow, but steady. So if you find yourself eating that piece of cake or that cookie, just remember why you are doing this. It doesn't mean you fell off the wagon, it just means you are human. But You have the power to make the change and the choice.

9. Love yourself for who you are regardless. You can't lose weight or exercise or be healthy if you don't already love who you are. That is a fact.

Tips & Warnings

• Carry pretzels just in case of an emergency hunger attack or a office birthday party. They are easy to take and have almost no fat.
• If you smoke, quit. It makes exercising that much harder.
• This takes time and effort, but even with minimal effort you should see some results.
• With the new exercise you may feel fatter than normal, but it will pass over time.
• Make sure to check with your doctor before starting any new program.

[Jolocol]

on 6/17/2009 Great ideas for beginning a healthier lifestyle.