Summer is on the way and everyone is talking about swimsuit season. While it seems like ages away because it just snowed here yesterday. Definitely not the kind of weather that inspires you to don a swimsuit. Swimsuit season can be an annoyance to some and bring fear to others. Weight is the biggest reason many people fear.
Losing weight and being healthy is constantly in the back of my mind. It seems hard to get back into the swing of things when spring has not even made its big debut. Winter to me equals bundling up, snuggling on the couch and drinking hot chocolate. Going to the gym does not fit into those plans. While spring has tried to trickle in, the winter weather keeps pushing its way back in, making it even harder to get to focus on exercising and getting healthy. (Don’t you think that it would be easier to keep our New Year’s Resolutions if New Year’s was during the warmer months?)
Last month, getting healthy came to the forefront at work. The health insurance plans for our company offer a “Healthy You” day where the company does health screenings to help us determine how healthy we are and how we can improve, all for free. Now most people are too busy to drastically change their lifestyle to get healthy, so here are a few tips that can help you get healthy, most without even changing your routine.
1. Eat small meals. If you eat 5-6 small meals every day instead of 3 big ones, you will actually lose weight. How? If you only eat three times a day, your blood sugar can drop causing some serious binge eating. And if you are like me, when you are hungry, you are hungry. Meaning you will eat anything to pump up your blood sugar. Eating smaller meals/snacks throughout the day will keep your blood sugar level and keep your metabolism constantly pumping throughout the day. This only works if you eat small healthy meals. Think carrots and hummus, and apples and peanut butter as the in between snacks to help keep you feeling full without adding too many calories.
2. Add some spice to your meals. Seriously. Spicy foods can actually booth your metabolism. So put on as much spice as you can handle.
3. Squeeze in mini work outs throughout the day. Ditch the elevator in favor of the stairs to add in a lower body workout. When you park, park your car in the farthest stall away from the entrance. Does your favorite TV show get in the way of your gym session? TV commercials are the perfect time to squeeze in a set of crunches, leg lifts or wall sits.
4. Buy healthy. It sounds obvious, but you cannot eat what you do not buy. I have a serious issue with self control when it comes to treats. (I think I was a treat in another life.) I never buy treats so I am never tempted to eat unhealthy foods.