Healthy Habits For The Weekend!

Just a few more days until my book comes out. Here are some healthy habits for the weekend as the countdown continues.

Habit One: Use Your Recipe Resources 

Stumped when trying to think of more ideas to add variety and flavor to your meal plan? Get new healthy recipes to add to your meal plan by using your resources. You would be surprised at how many healthy recipes are out there - if you name it you will find it in terms of locating a healthy version of your favorite food. Take advantage of all the recipe information that is out there on the Internet and at your local library. Make it a goal to try a new recipe every week to mix things up and keep up your meal plan exciting. Swap healthy recipes with family and friends that are in your support network as well. Take a healthy cooking class or subscribe to a magazine that features healthy recipes to motivate you to try new ideas. And a great start is THIS BLOG for plenty of easy and healthy recipes!  

Habit Two: Challenge Yourself By Setting Personal Exercise Goals 

Set small, realistic and positive goals  to keep active and step up your activity levels incrementally. Setting daily, weekly and monthly goals can help you stay on track. Break your goals into small steps to climb the fitness ladder to success. For those of you who have never exercised before and have been given the go ahead by your doctor, a small goal to start with 5-10 minutes/day would be an example of a great start. If you are already in the habit of exercising, try out a goal of adding an additional 5 minutes to your session or adding an extra session into your week. To increase variety, make it a goal to try one new activity per month to enhance your fitness routine

Habit Three:

Try To Stick To A Regular Sleep Schedule

By keeping a habitual bedtime and wake time you can help set your body’s internal clock, referred to as a circadian rhythm, in your favor to so you can get adapted to a good sleep routine. Also, by keeping to a regular bedtime it can help ensure you will get to bed in time to get enough hours of sleep overnight. Make every attempt to go bed around the same time every night, even on the weekends if possible. And try not to sleep in more than 1-2 hours maximum on the weekends or days off. Large shifts in you bedtime or waking hours can disrupt your circadian rhythm and cause problems with sleep as well as your alertness and energy levels during the day. If you are trying to get to an early bedtime, do it gradually by shifting in 15 minute intervals earlier each night until you are adjusted. Have trouble waking up in the morning? Let some morning sunlight in to help your internal body clock work with you to greet the day.