Healthy Lifestyle Habits - 7 Tips to Stay on Track

When starting a healthy lifestyle or taking on a new healthy habit (whether it is exercise or diet related), it is important to stay on track so that the new lifestyle or habit becomes part of your daily routine.

I know we all have busy lives, parenting, jobs, school, we have so many responsibilities... Ohhh, and let’s not forget about that never ending to-do list! There is a lot going on, I get it, but we need to make time for our health and well-being.

Whether you are trying to eat more healthy or be more physically active, here are 7 tips that have helped me stay on track with a healthy lifestyle.

1. Plan your meals in advance. I am a paper and pen kind of girl. I love to write things out so there is no question that this is a great method for me. As the weekend winds down on a Sunday evening, I will sit down on my desk and write out the meal plan for the week ahead. This helps me plan my grocery list (keeping unnecessary items from my grocery cart), and also prevents me from making unhealthy choices when I’m hungry between meals. .

2. Have healthy choices on hand. I prepare healthy snacks and meals in advance quite often. It is great to have a nutritious snack available to grab when hunger strikes between meals. A few of my favorite snacks are these No-Bake Carrot Cake balls, Chocolate Date Balls, or these Cookie Dough Balls.

3. Pack your snack and meals ahead of time. Whether you pack your meals the night before or in the morning, preparing in advance sets you up for success. You will be less tempted to indulge in unhealthy snacks and temptations. At work, walking into the lunch room can feel like walking into a buffet, however, I remain dedicated to my lifestyle habits and come prepared with my pre-packed healthy snacks. I can defeat those unhealthy temptations. This takes time, but I promise, it will get easier with practice.

4. Schedule your workouts. I like to schedule mine into my day planner in the beginning of the week (I do not let anything get in the way of my planned workouts). I attend Jiu Jitsu 3 times weekly and we have a home gym in our garage (saves time from going to the gym). We bike as a family, and hubby and I take turns running while the other stays back with the kiddos (Yes, we are busy but together we make working out a priority and make it happen).

5. Prepare for your workouts the night before. I like to workout in the morning so this is important to me. I put together my outfit the night before and set it on top of my dresser. It helps keep my motivation high, I get dressed, and I am pumped to break a sweat. I drink my morning coffee (in my workout gear), take my son to school, by the time I get home I am itching to get my workout in.

6. Use your time wisely and be mindful. I can not stress this enough. Avoid unnecessary screen time that can distract you from reaching your goals and keeping with your daily plans. If this is something you struggle with, a day planner may be a good option to help you stay on track. I love using my daily designer to help keep me on track and staying focused.

7. Don't give up. If you fall off the wagon, get back on. If you make unhealthy choices, correct them, keep striving to make healthy habits, and stay focused to living a healthy lifestyle.

These tips have helped me stay on track and keep me on track with my lifestyle. What has worked for you? Share in the comments below!

Note: It is important to always check in with your health care provider before changing your diet and beginning a new exercise routine.