10 healthier habits

I’ve mentioned before that getting healthy and getting organized are the 2 main “resolutions” for people each year. I know I can help you all get organized, but I thought I would include a few tips on how to get healthier too! If you've been fretting that it's just too difficult to be health conscious, these tips are sure to change your mind. With a simple attitude adjustment and the application of even a few of these tips, you'll be on a healthier path in no time. Also, if you notice, several of the tips involve becoming more organized and intentional about the food you put into your body!

1. Clear out your kitchen cabinets, pantry, and refrigerator of all unhealthy snacks. (or anything that has expired or gone bad) Forget how much they cost. Just toss them. It's a lot less expensive to toss unhealthy snacks, than to deal with the costs of getting seriously ill.

2. Do most of your shopping around the perimeter of your supermarket…as this is where most of the healthier food is. (fruit, veggies, cheese, meats, dairy)

3. Cut up the fruits and veggies when you get home from shopping and put them into the refrigerator for snacking. In fact, pack up some little packets to bring to work with you for morning and afternoon snacks to eliminate those trips to the vending machines.

4. Plan out menus for healthy cooking on the weekend. When you go grocery shopping, just get the ingredients to make those meals--rather than buying randomly.

5. Plan on eating five to six smaller meals during the day. In addition to your regular meals, have one at mid- morning and one at mid-afternoon. Do not eat after eight at night. Pretend you are going to have a blood test each morning and that you have to fast.

6. Chew sugarless gum. It keeps your mouth busy and satisfied. Keep a bottle of unsalted almonds in your desk to satisfy an emergency snack craving.

7. Precook some of your entrees on the weekend so you just have the veggies to steam and the salad to prepare. Steaming is a good way of retaining nutrients and vitamins. Make a double portion of dinner so you can freeze it for another dinner when busy--or make a large roast and use it for a few meals.

8. One of the easiest ways to loose weight is walking. Loose weight, strengthen your lungs and think about your goals--all at the same time. Keep walking shoes at work. Eat a light lunch and then head outdoors to do some power walking…and invite a friend.

9. Plan activities with your hands to keep busy, so you don't reach for the snacks. Play games with the kids, read a book, go outside and walk around the block as a family. If you are crafty, start a project to complete. Start dancing. Take an art class.

10. Get at least 8 hours of sleep each night. You'll feel more energetic in the morning.

YOU are the only one who can change any unhealthy habits and it all starts with your attitude-- the time to start getting healthier is NOW! Do yourself a favor and make that wonderful decision for yourself today. It will take effort and some organized planning to fit in exercise and eating right…but as with any organizing project, the results far outweigh the effort!

For more organizing ideas, visit my website: www.andreadekker.com