The new year is here, and with it comes the annual goals of getting fit and losing weight. However, fad diets are just not a sustainable way of sticking to this goal and keeping the weight off forever. “So what is the best way to do it?” I hear you ask. To help you get started getting healthy in a few short steps, we will be giving you our top ways to stay healthy in 2021:
Regular Exercise Is Key
When looking to make 2021 a healthy one, it is important to make sure that you are regularly exercising. This will maintain your weight and your strength, and is also great for your mental health when done along with a healthy diet. Any exercise is better than nothing — a walk, a gym session, some yoga, or any other form of movement will keep you looking and feeling great. If you need some guidance, read this quick summary of How To Start An Exercise Program.
Make Sure You’re Eating Correctly
In addition to regular exercise, you need to make sure that you are eating the right foods for weight loss and wellness. Though this can seem overwhelming at first, making sure you are meal prepping and making the most out of the health foods you have in the house will enable you to have a balanced diet filled with all the major nutrition needs. Don’t forget, however, that the occasional healthy treat in moderation is not a bad thing. If you listen to your body and nourish it with healthy foods 80% of the time, it will keep you feeling great! Who knows, you may even find a favorite new healthy recipe.
Traveling in 2021? Get The Vaccines You Need
Another way that you can ensure you are healthy and happy in 2021 is ensuring that you get any vaccines that you need before you travel. This can work alongside traditional travel insurance and a GHIC card to ensure that you have everything you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle even when traveling in 2021. With several places requiring you to have vaccines before you travel, getting these done as quickly as possible will ensure that you are as safe as possible regardless of the duration of your stay in this particular country for the long term.
Get Better Sleep
Lack of sleep and weight gain are directly related. Poor sleep changes hormone levels that increases fat storage and lower your metabolism.
When people low on sleep find their energy dropping, many turn to food for a pickup. The short-term rise in blood sugar gives a more energetic feeling, but often the extra calories are unneeded and stored as body fat.
Furthermore, the most appealing foods when we feel low on energy are often sweets or refined carbohydrates – like cookies – that are high in calories and low in nutrients 🙁
Tired people may burn fewer calories, too, because they move around less and are often too fatigued to exercise. Or if they do manage to exercise, they work out less intensely than usual.
Get to bed as early as you can, and stay away from screen time for 2 hours before bedtime. Limit nighttime alcohol – it’s a proven sleep disruptor.
Keep Up Your Water Intake
The final element you should consider to keep yourself healthy throughout 2021 is your water intake. By making sure that you are drinking plenty of water, you are removing toxins from your body while preventing dehydration. Though drinking water can help you lose weight, it is also great for concentration and overall mental health, as well as having big benefits to the quality of your skin. Aim for at least 64 ounces of clean water each day – more if you’re active for more than 2 hours per day, or if you regularly exercise in the heat.
Overall, there are many tips and tricks out there that are good ways to stay healthy in 2021, regardless of whether it is more exercise per day or improving your overall diet. Which of these tools — exercise, nutrition, water, sleep — is most important for YOU right now? Drop us a note and we can help you with strategies.