Clever Ways to Sneak Health and Fitness into Your Lifestyle

Introduction

Health and wellness are not a trend, it has always been around, and for many, always been a focus. However, recently this industry has experienced such a boom in exposure that those who were not already dialed into this part of their lifestyle have since made a huge pivot.

There is no shortage of information available on how to live your best, most healthy life, which is great, but can also be quite overwhelming. If you consider yourself a novice, aggressive how-to guides and major diet overhauls can seem unrealistic.

Fortunately, there are some ways to sneak health and fitness into your life that can yield significant results without causing you too much turmoil.

Participate in Meatless Monday

Meatless Monday is more than just a cute play on words, it is a nutrition focused trend that encourages people to spend one day a week focused on eating more plants. By dedicating one day a week to increasing your vegetable intake you are giving yourself an opportunity to try new foods, learn how to cook different recipes, and give your body a digestive break from animal products. The consistency of doing this every Monday is also a great way to relieve any pressure from your brain in terms of meal planning. You don’t have to worry about forgetting to take a once weekly break from meat due to a floating schedule. You know going into it that you are starting off every week with meals of this fashion and can shop and meal prep accordingly.

Multi-Task to Reach Your Goals

There are so many things that are recommended as daily practices to optimize for your best health and wellness that it can leave you wondering how you will have time for anything else in the day. If checking off tons of boxes from your must-do health improvement list overwhelms you, take a look at the activities you have decided to make a part of your daily routine and see where you might be able to combine some. Fitness and fresh air are a great start.

It is no secret that both the great outdoors and daily movement are in your best interest in terms of healthy living, but it can be hard to schedule in a workout, plus an outdoor activity every single day. Being outside in nature is so good for you, and there is much to daily doses of fresh air and Vitamin D working wonders on not just your physical health but your mental health as well. Outdoor fitness equipment is a smart way to kill two birds with one stone.

Do some research and look for places near your home or office that provide outdoor gym equipment. Outdoor gym equipment brings all the elements of traditional indoor gym equipment outdoors, and into an environment that also encourages exposure to natural light and fresh air. Outdoor gym equipment is sturdy and weatherproof making it more common in public spaces like parks and community gardens than you might think. You’ll be able to experience different pieces of outdoor gym equipment to provide you with a challenging workout and ensure the whole body is exercised. Bonus points if you find a location that you can walk to.

Start Taking Vitamins

A personal vitamin routine can be as simple, or complex as you desire it to be. You can find a multi-vitamin that suits you and simply take it as directed, or you can do more in depth research and even fill out questionaries that will help you target which vitamins specifically are in your best interest. Either way, incorporating some type of vitamin supplement into your routine is an easy way to level up your wellness.

There are several ways multivitamins work inside your body that can lead to a significant improvement in your day-to-day. Improved sleep hygiene, quicker post-workout recovery, and better digestion are just a couple examples. Once you have decided which vitamin routine is best for you, all you have to do is be mindful to take them daily, and the rest of the payoff is hands off. Many supplements can even be purchased online, and set to auto-renew monthly, so that you don’t even have to worry about running out or forgetting to order more.

Grocery Shop with a Purpose

Even if you are aware of common grocery shopping pitfalls, if you do not actively avoid them, they can tank your wellness efforts. Things like shopping when hungry, not meal planning for the week, and shopping without a specific list are great examples of such pitfalls. Commit yourself to a better routine in terms of how you shop. Start by creating and shopping with a list and making a personal vow to stick to the list. Grocery stores are designed to encourage impulse purchases the same as any other retail space, and it is not a coincidence that certain items are placed where they are.

This does not have to mean an aggressive restriction though. If you are someone who knows you enjoy a cookie after a meal from time to time, put that specific type of cookie on your list, and buy that and only that. This intentional move eliminates the chance of you haphazardly throwing whatever treats catch your eye into your cart and then mindlessly consuming them once you are back at home.

About Theresa Duncan

Originally from Detroit, MI, Theresa has been offering health and fitness advice for the last 30 years while working as an engineer. She decided to turn her passion into a profession, and finds nothing more satisfying than helping others reach their health and fitness goals.