Healthy Body

5 Sure Ways to Change Your Body!

by Laura Interval

It's a challenge to treat our bodies good everyday. We don’t have the time, we don’t have the energy, and we don’t have the focus. At the end of the day, we want quick answers, quick fixes, fries and a shake. But, they don’t have to go hand and hand. There are simple, effective answers that don't require a lot of your time. What they do require is your will and your commitment. Are you ready?

Here are 5 quick answers that offer long term fixes to making positive changes to your body:

1. Move it! – What? You’ve heard that one before? Well… do you? How much do you move your body everyday? Begin to be conscious of your every physical move. I’m talking about from the time you wake up until the time you’re in bed at night. Make the most of every minute. I think people resist this a little because it doesn’t seem like “working out”… so, they don’t give it any credit. Physical exertion is physical exertion! Your body doesn’t know you’re not at the gym or on a treadmill. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, park on the far side of the mall and walk through the long way to get to your store. When you clean your house, put some energy into it; use your abs to scrub the floor, use your legs to move furniture. I have a friend who dances while she brushes her teeth. Whatever it takes. If you have the time to do a focused workout that’s great… but, be aware that you can “workout” your body throughout the day.

2. Move it! – away from the center aisles of the grocery store. That’s right. That’s where all those nasty goodies are waiting. Shelves stocked with partially hydrogenated crap to clog up your arteries. Make a list before you get to the store, dive into the aisle to get only what you need and get towards the outer walls quickly! The outer walls are lined with the natural fats (fruits and veggies), lean meats and proteins, and whole grains. Don’t browse… get in and get out. You don’t need that soda, you’re drinking water now, remember? Pick up your pace and burn some calories while your pushing that cart.

3. Move it! – towards a support system. It’s vital that you don’t do this alone. It’s important that all of your people around you understand that you are now living, as of this moment, a healthier more active lifestyle. Find a few friends that are interested in changing their lifestyle as well and plan to meet up once a week to share your experiences, or find an established group who has the same goals as you. There are a lot of neighborhood jogging/biking clubs around… also a lot of good resources online. Find one that appeals to you and that will motivate you when you feel less than energetic.

4. Move it! –away from restaurants and yes, Starbucks. If you don’t know already, that frappe you just had for lunch was just as bad for your body as a big mac with fries. Save restaurants for more special occasions if you like them. Right now commit to making your own snacks and lunches. Make your own coffee in the morning or if you have to go to Starbucks train yourself to say, “tall black house blend please”. Plan dinner parties at your own home where you can control the menu. Even happy hours at your house… at least you can control the drink mixtures and the snacks. Just get into the mind frame that every little bit helps. Every time you make an effort your body responds.

5. Move it! – away from quick fixes and huge lofty goals. Make a commitment to SMALL STEPS to changing your behavior and lifestyle and move towards long-term change. After all, tiny steps add up to swirling long staircases eventually. Don’t get in a hurry. Start today… incorporate one small change. Next week, add another. Don’t put huge expectations on yourself or your body. Know that you are making a change for the rest of your life and congratulate yourself that you’ve begun. If tomorrow doesn’t go the way you want it to, recognize it and begin again. Commit yourself to the change one day at a time… it will come. And you will be around a whole lot longer to enjoy yourself!

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