10 Ways To Sneak ‘Healthy’ Into Your Day Without Kale
How many times have you said ‘I just want to be healthier’ but felt the actual act of being healthier was a little too overwhelming? And the appeal of chocolate cake was just too good? Yeah, me too. But it’s okay. You don’t have to go and make Kale Chips and drink raw juices every day – sneak healthy into your day with these cheeky tricks.
1 – Get Yourself a Big Ass Water Bottle You Love Showing Off
Preferably one that you’d only have to fill once a day to meet your daily water quota. This way, you can fill it up of a morning and drink throughout the day as an easy way to keep track of how much water you’ve had. We all know how important it is to stay hydrated but there’s no way I’m organised enough to use one of those water tracking apps or notepads.
One water bottle. One fill. Done. Plus if it’s sexy you won’t mind carrying it around.
2 – Have a Smoothie For Breakfast
If you have a delish smoothie for breakfast then you’re kicking your day off the right way AND if you happen to go downhill from here, at least you have had something good for you today. You can be as healthy as you want with this, throw a handful of spinach in it and a bunch of chia seeds, add some fruit and coconut water and you’re good to go.
3 – Park Further Away When Shopping
I know, annoying… but it works! Plus less people park further away so you’ll get a car park sooner and you might be able to park without having people bang their car doors into yours. Winner. You could ramp it up a bit by parking on the opposite side of the shopping centre to where you need to go, so even more walking, or parking down a level or two and taking the stairs. Super bonus points.
It’s quite interesting to wear a pedometer or just keep your phone in your pocket and track the number of steps you take on a good shopping trip. It can be a huge amount. Even when grocery shopping (yuk, I hate grocery shopping).
4 – Sneak Veggies Into Your Meals
Spaghetti Bolognese is by far one of my most favourite dishes, and while sometimes I can handle the zucchini noodles (zoodles) to go with instead of pasta, other days I just want the darn pasta. Instead of beating yourself up about it, grab a whole bunch of veggies and blitz them through a food processor and add to your meal. My faves to include are broccoli (stem included), carrots and spinach. You won’t even notice the massive veggie hit!
5 – Use Non Processed Sugar Alternatives
I love sugar. Really… who doesn’t. But that being said, we also know that sugar is some baaaaaad ass shit for us and we just don’t need to have as much as we do. Which is why I *try* to use alternatives instead. I use honey or rice malt syrup in my baking and a small amount of real maple syrup with coconut cream and blueberries on my pancakes. Yes, cutting sugar out all together would be the best option but let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves here.
6 – Replace Fizzy Drinks With Soda Water and Lemon Juice
This one might take a little while to get used to but once you make the switch you’ll find your sweet taste receptors start to change a little and your daily hit of Coke will become way too sweet to handle.
Grab yourself a Soda Stream so you’re not having to go down the same aisle at the supermarket to get store bought soda water as all the other fizzy drinks and get creative with what you add. I also love adding frozen blueberries or even smashing up a mix of frozen berries and adding them too.
7 – Wear Activewear
Yeah, yeah, yeah I know how ‘funny’ it is seeing women in their activewear eating cake at a cafe (that may or may not be me) but when you’re wearing clothes that are easy to move in and inspire activity, you’ll find you actually do move more!
Treat yo’ self to some new activewear that you love and is kind of a crossover between activewear and casual wear. This way you won’t feel silly wearing activewear everyday and you can still get out and about and do what you have to do while looking fantastic. And let’s face it, yoga pants are comfy AF.
8 – Replace Your Office Chair With a Yoga Ball
I never realised how freaking comfortable yoga balls are to sit on until I was pregnant and they became pretty much the only way I could sit. What I did notice, even after the baby was born, was that by sitting on a yoga ball, I had to engage my core muscles more for balance and I spent time bouncing on it, which increased my movement and blood flow.
It’s so easy to get caught up in what you’re working on and before you know it, 3 hours have passed and you haven’t moved from the same position in your work chair that makes you hunch so bad. Yoga balls also help you correct your posture which means less headaches, stronger back muscles and a stronger core. Strength all round.
9 – Get Outside
How’s your Vitamin D intake? A few minutes outdoors in the sun each day is all you need to get your daily dose of the sunshine vitamin. But the perks don’t stop there. Getting outside and breathing fresh air can also help reduce your stress and anxiety, can help you perform your tasks better and reduce the chances of you getting a cold or flu. You can’t argue with nature.
10 – Wrestle With Your Hubby
Love a bit of competition? Get into a playful wrestle with your hubby! If you’re super competitive you’ll find your heart rate increases, your mind is sharper as it tries to plan your next attack move and you’ll burn a ton of calories.
In addition, touching someone you love and playing around can increase serotonin, the happiness neurotransmitter and could even increase oxytocin, the love hormone linked to reducing stress and increasing relaxation. It’s like a healthy kick for your brain and body!
How do you sneak healthy habits into your day?
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