Healthy Habits

Two months into the new year and I think it’s about time to reassess some of my goals for 2013. I read a post recently over on Camille Styles about Healthy Habits. She listed habits that are already engrained in her life and those that she would like to develop. I've learned through the years that healthy living is generally not cultivated overnight. A healthy lifestyle is not the product of one quick decision to makeover your life but rather a set of healthy habits developed over time.

I have many healthy habits that have become engrained in my life and many habits I want to develop as well. Here's the breakdown:

Healthy Habits: 

-Working out regularly. Sometimes it’s difficult to fit in workouts, but staying active and fit is a huge priority in my life. I can immediately tell a difference in my emotional and physical wellbeing when I skip a few workouts.

-Drinking plenty of water. Water is definitely my beverage of choice, and it’s always been easy for me to get well over the recommended eight glasses of water each day.

-Flossing every night.

-Eating a great breakfast every morning. I know people who skip breakfast each day and I just cannot fathom it. I always start the day off with a big meal with lots of whole grains and fruit. Generally oatmeal is somewhere in the mix, because I'm totally obsessed.

-Staying clean and organized. I've always been one to keep my living spaces clean and clutter free. Having a neat, relaxing environment to come home to is such a stress reliever for me.

Habits I want to develop:

-Tea instead of lattes. I’m a big latte fan, but buying lattes on a regular basis is expensive. I’m trying to cut back, one day at a time.

-Getting more sleep. With all that’s going on in my life, I am really bad about getting enough sleep. I try, I really do, but sleep always comes after work, blogging, interning for TEG, working out and spending time with friends and family. It’s something I definitely need to improve.

-Portion control. Portion control has always been an issue for me, and not just when it comes to junk food. To combat this I think through what I’m going to buy each week when I go grocery shopping. And when I am craving my usual culprits, (Doritos and Peanut Butter M&M’s) I only buy them in an individual sized package. I also try to keep dark chocolate on hand at home. It fulfills any sweet cravings that I get, but since it's slightly bitter, I never have a desire to eat more than a few pieces at a time.

-Keeping in touch with all of my close friends, whether it's in person, on the phone, through a handwritten letter or even a text or e-mail. As I get older and as my friends disperse across the country, it is really important to make friendships a priority.

What about you? What healthy habits are engrained in your lifestyle and what are those you would 

like to develop?

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