A lot of times we make health-related resolutions, they could include to lose weight, stop smoking or joining the gym. Setting high goals is common but, experts say that setting smaller goals could be better for our health. Do you know the steps you can take to improve your health?
“Small steps are achievable and are easier to fit into your daily routine,” says James O. Hill, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. “They are less overwhelming than a big, sudden change.”
Here are 9 ways to take small steps:
- Watch your weight try to work on making sure you don’t gain weight. Even if you are gaining a pound or two every year, the weight can add up quickly.
- Use a pedometer to count your steps every day; then add 2,000, the equivalent of one extra mile. Then keep adding, 1,000 to 2,000 each month, until you take 10,000 steps on most days.
- Don’t skip in breakfast. Studies have shown that breakfast eaters tend to weigh less, and most have better diets overall. A good nutrition-packed breakfast, like muesil made with fresh fruit slices and homemade almond milk or fat free milk.
- Are you eating grains? If so switch out three grain servings each day to whole grain. If you’re like the average, you may eat less than one whole grain serving a day. Unless you’re on a special diet if so then skip this step.
- Eat your greens. Have at minimum one green salad every day. Eating a salad is filling and may help you eat less during the meal. Try and find a good healthy dressing or better yet make your own. And this will also count toward your five daily cups of fruits and vegetables.
- Cut the fat. Fat has a lot of calories, and when we know the calories count. Get lean meats, eat more poultry and leave off the skin. Watch your cheese intake and how much it is used in your meals. Use a nonstick pan with only a little of olive oil or coconut oil.
- Downsize when you eat. The smaller the plate or bowl, the less you will eat the better you will be, meaning don’t overdo it and have seconds and third helpings of meals.
- Try to lose only 5 to 10 percent of your current weight. The health benefits are huge like lowering blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol and blood sugar. This will improve overall heath.
- Keep track of what you are eating. Keep a journal and write down what you eat over the next few days. Start to look at possible problem spots. Sometimes, writing things down can help you notice that you need to eat less. It will also help you stay away from the wrong food.
Conclusion to improve your health:
If you try any of these steps you will be on the right road to improving your health. Take small steps even if that means just doing one or two of the steps per month.