Telling yourself you will cut a thousand calories from your daily diet or that you will go from a non-existant workout program to one that gets in you in the gym all seven days of the week is hard. Maybe even impossible!
But small changes, that's something I can wrap my head around.
Did you ever see that magazine advertisement that showed all of those plates with just a little bit of food left on them? All of those small bites added up to a lot of food. A lot of potentially saved calories over a week's, month's, year's time.
Recently I've been focusing on some really small things I can do that will hopefully add up to better health for me.
Green Tea
I used to be a great green tea drinker, and then I got on a coffee kick. Green tea has so many health benefits, and I'm starting to add it back to my diet. Our office breakroom has 100% organic green tea packets for the taking. Sometimes I'll brew it with just a small amount of hot water (enough to cover the teabag for it to steep) and then I'll add ice cubes and cold water so that I can drink it cold. When I first started drinking it back in high school, I had to have sugar or sweetener in it, but now I drink it straight.
Move More
At the start of the year, I was given a new type of pedometer to check out, and I've been wearing it daily. The one above (Omron; $32) is also one I've used before, and while larger than the one I'm currently wearing, it's probably my very favorite one. Having the ability to sync the pedometer up to your computer to track progress is key. The standard goal is 10,000 steps per day, but that's pretty difficult to hit for the average person who works in an office and isn't a big runner. Wearing this makes me aware of days I need to rethink watching my beloved Housewives and instead lace up the shoes for a quick jaunt around the neighborhood.
Hydrate
It became apparent to me that my water intake could probably stand a little boost. I own three of these plastic cups with straws, and on the way out of the door in the morning, I grab one. If I have time to fill it up with water before heading to the office, great. If I'm pressed for time, I just toss an empty cup in my lunchbag. During the day, I remind myself to keep filling it up. The quick walk to the water cooler adds more steps to my pedometer (about 200 steps each trip back & forth) and I'm drinking more water than I ever did on days that I didn't keep it right next to my laptop. Out of sight, out of mind. Right in sight, on the mind.
Which of these steps do you do?
What other small steps do you incorporate into your life?
Like, I JUST ate a doughnut
ReplyDelete*shameful*
Thanks for the reminder that I need to be in the gym tonight! ;)
I'm a sucker for Netflix on my iphone while on the elliptical to pass the time
I got an Up by Jawbone for Christmas and I love it! It vibrates every so often to remind me to move around a bit, and you can keep track of your steps, water, green tea, etc. It even wakes me up at the right time in my sleep cycle. It's the best! You're so right that small steps can add up to a big difference!
ReplyDeleteWater, water, water! And walking is the best, for mind and body! I haven't gotten into green tea but I don't drink coffee anymore because of the caffeine. I'm hoping to stick with that for the most part, post baby.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I gave up diet soda 4 weeks ago, and replaced it with water. I can definitely tell a difference with my skin, appetite, and alertness. I'm also trying to incorporate a cup of tea prior to my coffee, and incorporate fish oil into my diet. Awesome.
ReplyDeleteI told myself starting in March I'd give up coffee. What did I drink yesterday morning and this morning? Coffee. I think it's just a warm drink thing, really. Need to switch to green tea!
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love those reuse-able straw cups!?! I fill my every morning but I still have to work on refilling it.
ReplyDeletewater is the hardest thing for me some days!
ReplyDeleteI've started filling my wine glass with seltzer or water in between actual refills of wine. It slows down both the booze and caloric intake. And sometimes I just go right for the vino refill.... it's a work in progress :)
ReplyDeleteIf I count the two pots of tea I drink everyday, I think I drink about 70 ounces of water a day. I start the day with a pot of green tea, and then end it with chamomile. I will sip iced water at work, too. It just makes your skin so healthy!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I actually get an unsweetened Venti green tea (Or a green tea lemonade...) from Starbucks every day! Once finished, I replenish with ice and water over and over again throughout the day while I'm at work!
ReplyDeleteHonestly I never really liked drinking water, but once you get into the habit, its hard to stop! I now feel parched if I don't have a glass within reach of me 24/7! I find it also curbs my hunger!
I keep hearing you should drink 1 oz. of water for every lb. that you weigh - it's a lot of water! I always keep a glass of water by my bed and drink it first thing after my alarm goes off -- it helps clear up my foggy brain and wake me up before I start getting ready in the mornings.
ReplyDeletei drink SOOOOOOO much water a day it isn't funny - i don't drink green tea and i need to be more active b/c i have an office job - but i DO workout 5-6 times a week and i eat super healthy :o)
ReplyDeleteI *love* straw tumblers! I recently got a larger one, because I drink SO much water during the day. I definitely notice on the weekends that I feel dehydrated because I don't have a big water cup in front of me all day, so now I've got my old tumbler at home. Makes such a difference!
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