Maintaining our health and fitness is crucial to our overall well-being. However, it is common to occasionally slip up and hinder progress towards a healthier lifestyle. Let’s explore some common ways in which this can happen.

Firstly, not getting enough sleep can negatively impact our mood, energy levels, and ability to make healthy daily choices. Your sleep hygience can be improved by shutting off your screens an hour or two before bed, implementing an evening meditation, or other wind-down activities. Ideally, you want to aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

• Pro-Tip: There’s a difference between “going to bed” and “getting into bed,” and often, this difference is 45 to 60 minutes. Try the following technique for the next two weeks to help you get “into bed” earlier. Set an alarm 30 minutes before you go to bed – that’s your cue to end your evening chores or activities and make your way to your room. Even if you don’t get to sleep any earlier, you are beginning to re-wire your nighttime pattern. After two weeks, give yourself 15 minutes to get into bed when the alarm goes off.

Skipping meals is another common mistake. This can lead to overeating later on or poor food choices due to extreme hunger. Skipping meals can also lead to low energy and irritability (read: hangry). Aim to fuel with healthy, balanced meals and snacks throughout the day to keep you satisfied and energized!

• Pro Tip: I usually “ingredient prep” most weeks. That means boiled potatoes, rice, and beans are in the fridge, tofu is prepared, and I always make a pot of veggie soup on Sunday. This allows me to throw something together in a pinch. It also helps to ensure my fridge and pantry are stocked with “convenience foods” such as Forager yogurt (their unsweetened vanilla is epic), hummus, bread, avocados, fruit, cereal, etc. Think, grab, and go.

Staying hydrated is also essential for our bodies to function properly. When we don’t drink enough water, we can become dehydrated, leading to headaches, fatigue, and other negative symptoms.

• Pro Tip: Adding flavor to your water is okay to boost your odds of drinking it! Squeezes of lemon, lime, orange juice, or a splash of pineapple juice are ok. As are electrolytes such as Nuun or Liquid IV.

Consistency is key when it comes to making healthy lifestyle changes. Sticking with healthy habits over time is important to see long-term results. So, don’t beat yourself up if you slip up occasionally. Just keep going and remember why you started!

• Pro Tip: Consistency is not all or nothing. It simply means doing the thing (or just part of the thing) that will get you closer to your goals most days. Can’t work out for 45 minutes before work? Do 10. Had a burger and fries for lunch? No worries, just don’t make it a daily thing unless eating a burger and fries supports your goal.

Lastly, mental and emotional health is as important as physical health. Neglecting self-care can lead to stress, anxiety, and other negative health outcomes. Make sure you take time each day to do something that makes you feel good and relaxed.

• Pro Tip: Activities should NOT include cleaning, organizing, sorting, or doing chores! It can include cooking if you LOVE it or baking because cookies make people happy. Joking aside, think of taking a nice long bath, 15 minutes of meditation, reading quietly, playing with your dog, or watching reality TV (no judgment here).

Please reach out if you struggle to overcome these or any other obstacles on your health and fitness journey!  I specialize in helping clients establish healthy habits and make sustainable lifestyle changes. With personalized support and guidance, you can reach your goals and improve your overall well-being.

Now go run!

Keli 🙂