Originally published September 18, 2015

Spring. A new season, a shedding of the old and a point in the year (other than the new year) where most people make a deal with themselves to get fit and healthy before the warmer weather (and the wearing of less clothing) arrives. If winter has seen you accumulate a little more padding than your puffy vest and you want to jump back on the health train, now is the perfect time to start. Here are some ways to kick-start your healthy lifestyle…

1. Drink your greens every morning.

Green superfood drinks are alkalinizing and great for detoxification, helping rid your body of any pesky winter bugs and toxins you’ve built up inside over the cooler months. They’re also great at helping to increase your energy levels so you can get back into that workout routine. Read this article for more info on why getting this daily green good stuff is one of the best things you can do for your health.

2. Stock your kitchen with healthy foods.

The first step in eating right is to get prepared. Go through your fridge and pantry and toss all the unhealthy packaged crap you were stockpiling through the winter. Then, collect recipes of all the healthy meals you want to cook and write a list of ingredients you need. Stock your pantry with these healthy ingredients and any other cooking essentials. If you need some inspiration you can check out this post where I talk about my top food staples.

3. Make a meal plan.

Get organised about your eating habits. Make a meal plan at the beginning of the week, shop for it and follow it. You can leave a couple nights open for eating out if need be (usually the weekend). Planning it ahead of time will help keep you prepared and help you make intentional, healthy choices. Cooking your own food (instead of buying takeaway everyday) will also help you save money in the long run.

4. Eat vegetables or fruit at every meal. 

Increasing your consumption of fruits and vegetables- foods packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants- helps to lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes and many other diseases. Not to mention all the other benefits: For example, beta carotene in carrots and sweet potatoes helps keep your eyes, bones and immune system healthy. Eat as many fruit and veggies as you like. As the saying goes, the more the merrier!

5. Pack your lunch.

Packing a healthy lunch to take to work will make it easier to eat more healthfully throughout the day. Remember to pack nourishing, satisfying snacks too, so you don’t give in to the afternoon lure of chocolate, cookies or sweet coffee drinks. Think about taking leftovers from last night’s dinner and adding some cut-up vegetables, fruit and nuts for snacks.

6. Change where you shop.

Shopping at the weekend farmers markets (as opposed to the supermarket) means you’ll be getting fresher and cheaper produce. Farmers markets are also full of seasonal produce, meaning you’ll be able to find new and exciting foods that you probably wouldn’t be able to find in the supermarkets. Make friends with the farmers and build a sense of community.

Remember, the key to maintaining a healthy routine is to remain consistent in your efforts. If you fall off the wagon, just jump straight back on again. And start slowly. Add in one new habit per week until it becomes normal. As they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day…

 

 

Article by Kavisha Jega  

Kavisha is a wellness educator working in social media marketing, content creation and recipe development for health and wellness businesses. She has a background in Marketing, a Masters Degree in Wellness and an unhealthy obsession with Matcha.

 

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image via: nutritionstripped.com