If you have been around a while, you may notice that this post is recycled. I was thinking about this topic when Olivia and I were running yesterday. We were talking about some changes that I’ve made in eating and fitness when I am on the road. I have been on the road A LOT lately and I realize that I can’t treat business travel like vacation and give myself a “free pass.” This has evolved for me over time, but I do think that a few small changes I have been making have helped me stay on track with my diet this year. When I travel during the week, I order similar foods to what I would have at home when dining out and don’t have alcohol (for the most part) or dessert during the week. Once I made it a habit, it did not seem awkward or strange. I also “fit in fitness.” I usually have less time to run or workout when I travel, so I make it a point to walk wherever I can and walk around instead of sitting in airports when possible. I also try to get in some basic body weight exercise in my hotel room before bed. Small changes do matter.
So here goes on the original premise of taking a year and making small changes along the way…
If you read this blog, you know that I believe small changes can lead to big results. I am also just a wee bit obsessed with changing habits. I picked up a copy of One Simple Change: Surprisingly Easy Ways to Transform Your Life by Winnie Abramson, ND after reading about it in a magazine or on Bookperk (well I added it to my Kindle). The book offers a super straightforward approach for improving your health and well being one small step at a time. Abramson, the blogger behind Healthy Green Kitchen, offers 50 “simple changes” and proposes that you adopt one per week for a year (with two free weeks for when life gets in the way). Like any habits, these simple changes take a bit of getting used to and then become second nature.
Each simple change is one brief chapter. It starts with “why and how you should make the change.” Each change is pretty much common sense (the author says this herself). These changes are “lifestyle adjustments” not major diets or exercise programs. The chapters include an overview, links to the research/science, quick tips, a great recap and when applicable recipes or instructions. So easy!
I like her reminder at the close of the introduction:
“All you have to do to get started with One Simple Change is to commit to changing one thing. See how it goes, then change another. Remember it’s your body and you are in charge; also remember that nothing in this book is do or die. If you fail at something today, you can still succeed tomorrow. Every time you get up in the morning, you have a new day in front of you, and each day is a new opportunity for change.”
I am going to see how many of these changes I can make in 2015 2016. I am starting a bit late, but I already do many of these things already. I have kicked #1 Stop Dieting and #2 Eat Real Food. These are two great habits that I have been working on over the last few years. I am going to start with #3 Drink Water First Thing starting today and then next week a more challenging one for me #4 Get A Good Night’s Sleep. [Note: I made VERY little progress on these last year. However, I did get a FitBit so I can track sleep patterns and issues. I am starting here again!]
Interested in this book? You can download or buy it HERE. Please note: I have no affiliation with this author or this publisher. I stumbled upon the book and liked the simple and logical approach and the idea of “lifestyle adjustments.” I am going to try it for my own self improvement. I do follow her on Twitter and you can, too.
I will keep you posted on this “challenge.” Anyone want to join me? If so, you can start with “Stop Dieting,” “Eat Real Food,” or with me at “Drink Water First Thing”
PS. Don’t miss the Wednesday Giveaway Round Up Link Up and my other giveaways!