A New Year, A New You - Section 4: Implementation
A New Year, A New You – Section 4: Implementation
Throughout the previous three articles, I have discussed tools that one needs to live a healthy and active lifestyle: how to make proper food choices, how your sleep patterns can affect your weight and how exercising can reduce stress levels naturally. Now is the time to make sure that you are implementing them correctly.
Step One: A daily food journal is a must to keep you on target. Studies show that if you have to write down what you are eating, you are less likely to make a poor food choice. Also if you are trying to lose weight, a food journal will hold the answers as to why you are or why you aren’t losing weight that you want.
Step Two: Make sure that your sleep patterns are as regular as possible. The more regular your sleep patterns are the easier it will be to maintain a healthy weight. Remember when your body does not get enough sleep, the hormones that keep your appetite in check start working differently. Leptin, which functions as an appetite suppressant is lowered, and Ghrelin, which stimulates appetite is boosted. This in turn can cause an increase in caloric intake far above what is needed, especially a craving for foods with high amounts of carbohydrates.
Step Three: Maintain a regular exercise routine. Just as you keep a food journal, keep an exercise journal as well. It does not have to be anything elaborate, but one that will hold you accountable. It can be as simple as recording the type of activity performed, such as: 40 minute run, spin class, hike, or hit the gym. This way you can see your activity pattern to make sure you are getting in the proper amounts of exercise. Remember exercise is a natural outlet for your emotions and helps the body better manage your stress.
Properly implementing the 3 steps above will have you on the road to leading a healthy and active life. If you get off track, don’t feel defeated. Just get right back on and continue with your journey. Remember it is not what you do, but how often you
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