How many times have you told yourself that you needed to live healthier?
Most people know they need to live healthier, but have no clue how to actually do it. Here are 7 simple steps that you can take today to start living a healthier life.
Step 1 - Identify one area that you need to improve that would make your life healthier.
This could be anything that you could do to be a healthier person. Examples are: lose weight, eat better, exercise more, stop smoking, reduce stress, or get more balance in your life. Instead of trying to make massive changes in your life, just pick one area that you will work on to create a healthier life.
Step 2 - Set a long-term goal for the area you've chosen to improve.
Imagine you are looking at your life one year from today. What improvements in the one area you have chosen do you want to see in your life? Do you want to have lost 10 pounds, exercise three times a week, eat more fruits and vegetables, smoke half as many cigaretttes, or lower your cholesterol 30 points.
Step 3 - Break down this long-term goal into monthly goals.
Breaking down your goal into small steps makes them seem more attainable. If you want to lose 10 pounds in the next year, that's less than 1 pound a month. Most people would believe they could easily lose 1 pound a month. This belief makes acheiving your goal much more likely.
Step 4 - Break down these monthly goals into daily steps you can take.
Again, when long-term goals are broken down into small steps, your belief in your ability to reach these goals will soar. If you want to lose 10 pounds, or approximately one pound a month, that means cutting out approximately 100 calories a day. Easy enough! Skip the extra piece of buttered bread or the second donut or just eat a grilled meal in place of a fried one every day. Little steps will add up to ultimately lead to achieving your long-term goal.
Step 5 - Create a written plan for the entire year.
Writing down your plan gives you a roadmap for the entire year. You will be able to see every day and every month how well you are progressing toward your ultimate goal. Plus, you'll be able to see if you get off track and can reset your goals to get you back on the right path.
Step 6 - Get a support system in place to ensure your success.
Tell your friends and family what you've set as your goal for the year, the month, and each day. Ask for their support. Let them know how they can help you reach your goals. If your spouse doesn't know you are trying to lose weight, you can't blame him when he gives you a giant box of chocolate truffles for Valentine's Day! Not only can your friends and family support your goals, they can also help hold you accountable for striving to reach your goals.
Step 7 - Reward yourself each month when you reach your goal.
Make the reward something of a special treat for yourself. When you lose that one pound, smoke less cigarettes, or whatever goal you've decided to work on, treat yourself to a spa pedicure or a massage. (not a hot fudge sundae!) When you've gone an entire month eating more fruits, vegetables or non-fried foods, reward yourself with a good book you've been wanting to read.
Healthy living doesn't have to mean drastically changing your lifestyle or habits. You can make small daily changes that over time will add up to major improvements in your life and your health.
What will your life look like a year from now? Get started today with this simple plan and take the steps to make sure your life is healthier!
Article Source: http://www.fitnesshealtharticles.com.
About the Author:
Lori LeBlanc - Helping people live healthier and wealthier. ealth info can be found at http://www.thepharmacistrecommends.com.
Wealth info can be found at http://www.hopeteamcentral.com.
7 Steps to Healthy Living
