Developing good habits

Tips for living a healthier lifestyle.

Many of us have heard of the best seller: “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey. Mr. Covey writes about motivating yourself by dropping habits in life that get you nowhere and developing seven habits that will motivate you to be more successful.

When your goal is to feel good, perhaps rid yourself of a few pounds and start health activities, the bonus is you may develop healthier habits. Extension programs such as National Diabetes Prevention Program Personal Action Toward Health, Dining with Diabetes, and Matter of Balance participants use an activity called Action Plans. When we write down what we plan to accomplish, we have a better chance of accomplishing the task.

If you want to have a healthier lifestyle, lose a few pounds in a healthy manner, be more energetic, the following are some ideas that are found in the National Diabetes Prevention Program by the Center of Disease Control:

  • Keep Food Records: This can be done by writing down everything you eat or putting it in an app on your phone. After you do this it is surprising to see how much we may snack! In the NDPP program we have what is called a Food and Activity Tracker. There are many different forms online that are free. Just look them up and see which one is easy for you to use.
  • Keep Activity Record: Most adults should aim for 30 minutes a day of activity at least five days a week. The interesting thing is it doesn’t have to be all at once. You can do ten minutes three times a day or even five minutes six times a day. If you are not active now, take it slow and build yourself up to the 30 minutes a day.
  • Eat Fresh Fruit and Vegetables: Snack on fresh fruit and vegetables instead of chips, cookies and high-fat foods. You don’t have to deprive yourself of anything, just eat treats on special occasions. For those of us that live in areas where it is hard to get fresh fruits and vegetables, canned and frozen are very good alternatives for us. Always check the label for hidden fats and sodium.
  • Watch Intake of Fats and Carbohydrates: By cutting down on some fat and carbohydrates you will find your blood sugar level may become more normal, and therefore you will be healthier.
  • Write Down Daily Goals: Many of us accomplish more when we have a list. There is nothing better than feeling good mentally and physically.
  • Talk Back Negative Thoughts: We are human and have negative thoughts from time to time. The negative thoughts can hurt our success in being healthy. Avoid those negative thoughts a replace them with positive thoughts.

We can have a healthy life by practicing the above simple solutions and developing good habits.

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