{"id":5876,"date":"2015-03-19T13:30:56","date_gmt":"2015-03-19T18:30:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lovingonme.com\/?p=5876"},"modified":"2017-03-30T22:41:19","modified_gmt":"2017-03-31T03:41:19","slug":"8-ways-to-bite-into-a-healthy-lifestyle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lovingonme.com\/2017\/2015\/03\/19\/8-ways-to-bite-into-a-healthy-lifestyle\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Ways to Bite Into a Healthy Lifestyle"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"healthy-lifestyle\"<\/a>March is National Nutrition Month<\/a><\/span>. I visited the website and their theme for this year is \u201cBite Into a Healthy Lifestyle.\u201d Just like fitness, nutrition can be a little daunting if you are just getting started. So where do we even start? Well, here are 8 ways to help you take a bite into a healthier lifestyle:<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Set a goal.<\/strong>
\nWhat are your health goals? Take some time to decide what you want- it could be abs, getting stronger, losing weight, or being heart healthy. Deciding what the end goal is, both short term and long term, will help stay you on track for success.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Start small.<\/strong>
\n\u201cSuccess is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.\u201d Robert Collier<\/em>
\nCelebrate the small victories every day and take each day as it comes. Focus on eating right and working out today. Stay present and keep your goals in mind.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Substitutions.<\/strong>
\nFitness isn\u2019t about living solely off of bland broccoli and dry chicken breast. Find substitutions for your foods that you enjoy. Simple switches can make the biggest difference. For example, I love pizza. However, I cannot eat it every day. (Well, maybe I could, but my heart and body wouldn\u2019t appreciate it). So I love making cauliflower pizza crusts then adding my favorite toppings. Some of these substitutions are amazing, but some are hit and miss. Mix it up! Try different things to see what works for you. If you do happen to stumble across a yummy, healthier version of something, please send me the recipe!<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Treat meals.<\/strong>
\nWhile substitutions are great options for our guilty pleasures, I do understand that some things in the world need not be messed with. Grandma\u2019s homemade pie, your aunt\u2019s mac\u2019n\u2019cheese, or a delicious dessert from your favorite restaurant are perfect examples. You can have this! I recommend indulging in your favorite, hearty foods or meals once a week. A completely restrictive diet is unhealthy and can lead to binging.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Portion control.<\/strong>
\nAlmost anything in excess is bad for you. Especially food. We consume a staggering amount of food every day and have been increasing this year by year. According to the Huffington Post<\/a><\/span>, the average restaurant meal is four times larger than it was in the 1950\u2019s. The\u00a0average dinner plate<\/a><\/span> in the 1960\u2019s was 9 inches and has grown to an average size of 12 inches today. Portion control is a great way to make changes in every day eating habits. If you go out to dinner, try eating half and saving the rest for later. Try downsizing your venti latte to a grande or a tall. Be sure to always read portion sizes on labels. You will be surprised at some of the ingredients you’ll find in your food.<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Edit your grocery list.<\/strong>
\nGo natural. When going to the grocery store, try shopping on the outer aisles, or perimeter of the store. The produce, meats, and made in-store-items are typically on the outside areas. The inside aisles contain more of the processed foods and snacks that we should be eating less of.<\/p>\n

7.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Exercise 30 minutes a day.<\/strong>
\nAlmost 80% of Americans do not get the recommended amount of exercise<\/a><\/span>. 30 minutes a day of moderate to intense aerobic exercise is recommended daily. Limited physical activity increases the risk of a number of deadly diseases like Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.\u00a0Cardiovascular disease<\/a><\/span> is the leading cause of death globally.
\nEvery little bit of exercise helps. If you can\u2019t do 30 minutes consecutively, then break it into increments of 5 or 10 minutes a day. For some ideas, check out these exercises you can do anywhere.<\/p>\n