Start a Healthy Lifestyle with These Tips

Want to start a new healthy lifestyle this Fall? Here are my easy, simple tips for you to ease into a healthier and happier lifestyle.

To me, being healthy means being well and happy in all areas of your life. Since I have a holistic approach to living a healthy lifestyle, being balanced and doing everything with mindfulness is also very important to me. 

The points that I'm going to mention are some of the areas that I wish I had known years ago. They are very simple, but make a big difference in one's overall wellbeing, I think.

Eat more whole plant-based foods.
We often worry about eating enough proteins throughout the day. But do you know or even heard of anyone who is sick because they don't eat enough protein? Nooo. Most people are sick and overweight because they are NOT eating enough vegetables and greens. 

I tried the IIFYM, a.k.a the macros diet, which is basically macro nutrition dieting where you calculate and monitor your daily calorie goals to lose weight AND the calories you’re getting from each of the macronutrients (macros): carbohydrates, protein and fat. It did NOT work for me. Meaning, it didn't improve my relationship with food and fitness, overall didn't make me feel good about myself. It was too stressful for me to handle everyday. Isn't eating should come more natural, be more fun and easy? 

So, to keep things more simple and natural: Eat more healthy, whole foods. Simply add a bowl of salad to your meals. Try to buy organic whole foods at the grocery store, so that you have good food to eat at home. 

 As if counting calories isn’t stressful enough, there’s a diet trend that’s getting popular among people wanting a leaner body: counting calories & macronutrients. 

​​Be kind to yourself. 
Please please be kind to yourself. Try to realize negative thoughts and proactively stop behaving like a mean girl to yourself. Don't compare your Chapter 1 to someone else's Chapter 20. You're probably your hardest critique like I was before.  

Of course, I'll also have to add: don't count calories or macros. Just keep track of the healthy food you're eating. The only question you should be bothered with is: "Am I eating a healthy, nourishing meal?" Try to be mindful of what you're putting into your body and mind. 

Walk more.
Little things add up. You don't need to sweat on a treadmill and hate every second of it. It's the simple and easy things that really work for some of us. Walking to the market, going out for a short walk in the evening, or just a brisk walk to your job...

My tip is: try power walking. Walk with a little more pace. Clear your mind and thank yourself for taking good care of yourself. You deserve it. 

Love,
hande