Healthy Choices

We are presented with choices almost every moment of every day.  Do I get up to work out or do I hit the snooze button?  Do I eat a cookie or grab an apple?  Do I let a stressful situation consume me or take a deep breath and move on?  All of the decisions we make in a day affect our health and wellness.

Depending on the situation, it’s okay sometimes to go with second pick.  If I don’t work out in the morning, I can always try to work out at lunch or in the evening.  It’s about balance and knowing which situations dictate an important, impactful decision.  Every day, every week, every month and every year, you have the opportunity to make choices you believe are best for you.  The more informed you are about the impact and results of your choices, the more likely you’ll know confidently which choice is right for you.

If you are making the right choices and living a healthy lifestyle, congratulations!  It’s not an “easy” lifestyle for everyone to live and requires dedication, patience, forgiveness and continued education.  If you are not where you’d like to be living a healthy lifestyle, it’s okay.  Don’t try to make big, dramatic change unless you’re completely ready for it.  Sometimes it’s just the little changes that make all the difference.  Sometimes the little things are a great place to start.  Here are a few little choices I call upon.

• Work out in the morning. I have a harder time working out in the evening, particularly running.  I perform better during the workout and feel better during the day when I get up and tackle the day with a workout.
• Skip unnecessary snacks.  While I believe you need to fuel continually throughout the day, (how people survive without breakfast or any snacks, I don’t know) evaluate if I really need a snack or am just eating to eat.
• When things feel overwhelming, get up and get a drink of water and walk around for a few minutes.  Sometimes removing myself from the situation helps me reevaluate, decide a course of action and move forward.
• Spend time connecting with people I love.  Surrounding myself with people I care about brings much joy to my life.  It usually means doing something fun and funny together!
• Plan meals and prepare snacks ahead of time.  It takes the guess work out and leaves little opportunity to make an unhealthy choice.  I know that in the end I save time, money and calories by planning ahead.
• Get a race on the calendar.  I love competition.  Even more, training gets me on track for living a healthy lifestyle.
• Run.  When all else fails, running makes me feel good.  It’s not always an option at that exact moment I need it, but if I’m able to schedule a run, I can decompress and reset.  And that’s a great feeling.

Tell me what little choices you call on to live a healthy lifestyle.  Do you like to run, bike, walk, play tennis, play basketball, do yoga, row, swim, hike, kickbox, play baseball, etc?  Do you have a favorite vegetable or fruit that is your go-to snack?  Do you meditate, sing or walk when you’re having a tough moment?  What foundational healthy choices top your list?  As always, I’m interested in what you have to say!
Miss FitGab