Getting fit, eating right and living a healthy lifestyle are always some of the top resolutions every New Year. We all know in our guts that we should be living healthier happier lives and every year many of us find ourselves with the same predicament: we start off strong and then by February we’ve given up. Four weeks go by and we’ve come up with every excuse in the book to avoid getting off our bums and eating right—life gets in the way, work is taking too much of our time, we have to take care of our families, our friends think we’re nuts, etc. etc.
One solution that I have found incredibly helpful is to make small changes that really add up over time. We can allow incredible shifts to occur if we commit to taking small simple actions toward a bigger goal.
Below you’ll find easy and simple ways to improve your health through 2013 and beyond.
Beginning a meditation practice is one of the easiest ways to reduce stress and help with a multitude of emotional, mental and physical road blocks. The best part? It’s completely free! All you need is a few minutes and your breath. If you’re not sure where to start ,check out some Meditation Motivation tools to help you begin, and to keep your own meditation practice going through 2013.
Making green juices or smoothies for breakfast is probably the easiest way to ensure that you’re getting enough greens in your diet. The advantages of greens are endless, including changing the body from acidic to alkaline, helping with bowel issues, clearing up skin, and refreshing cells in the body.
For recipes, information on juicers, and more, check out Kris Carr, Healthy Cooking Camp, or any of Victoria Boutenko’s books.
Not having time to work out is one of the biggest excuses people use to not get off their bums. Here’s some news for you: if you’ve got 10 minutes free, you have enough time to work out. The best part? There’s no fancy expensive gym membership required! YouTube makes it extraordinarily easy to make sure you get in a good workout, even if you only have a few minutes. Simply do a search for your favorite fitness guru, or try one of several YouTube fitness celebrities. With time you’ll be able to make your own No Excuses Workout playlist.
If you’re not sure which workouts to aim for check out this fitness hack guide.
I’m a big believer in the advantages of making forgiveness a daily practice. If we hold on to stuff that makes us angry, we only fuel negative thoughts, which in turn leads to emotional and even physical problems. Sometimes, forgiveness is easier said than done. Fortunately there are plenty of people out there who have tried to make it practical for daily life—my favorite being author and speaker Gabrielle Bernstein.
Instead of driving everywhere, try walking, biking, or taking public transit. This is one of my favorite fitness hacks because it forces you to get off your behind and move. If you live two blocks from the pharmacy or the grocery store, try walking there. If you can make it happen, take the bus, subway or train to work, and if you can walk or bike to the gym, even better!
Health isn’t just about the physical body—it involves your mind and soul as well. By taking small actions to keep your overall health, in check you’ll soon find yourself taking on bigger initiatives to make your healthy lifestyle really stick.
Here’s to a happy and healthy 2013 and beyond!
Featured photo credit: beauty girl drink water via Shutterstock
Amanda Abella is a Gen Y blogger, freelance writer and life coach that has been featured in online publications such as Forbes and The Consumerist. Her blog, GradMeetsWorld.org, was also named one of the 100 Blogs You Need in Your Life by Leaving Work Behind. You can follow her on Twitter @amandaabella 
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