A lot of people love the idea of living a healthier lifestyle, but sometimes, it's easier said than done. Not everyone has the time or energy (or funds) to join a gym or wake up earlier to go for a run or switch to a healthier diet. Here are four ways for you to live a healthier lifestyle without dishing out too much money or completely changing around your daily schedule.
START YOUR MORNING WITH LEMON WATER
If you didn't already know, lemons have amazing benefits and can do awesome things for your body, especially long-term. Check out this article from Huffington Post for a little extra info.
Try out this super easy recipe, and drink it every morning on an empty stomach:
Squeeze half a lemon into a standard-sized mug. Boil some water and fill three-quarters of the way. Put in a splash of cold water to cool it down a little, and drink immediately.
DRINK MORE WATER
Lemon water is awesome, but water in general also has many benefits, including preventing fatigue, clearing your skin, and aiding in weight loss. It's commonly recommended to drink at least 8 8-oz glasses of water each day, which is about half a gallon. Water has always been my drink of choice, and the great thing about it is that it goes great with all meals.
INCORPORATE MORE SALADS INTO YOUR WEEKLY MEALS
I think we all know the benefits of eating your veggies. I don't know about you, but I don't like most vegetables. I'll eat spinach, corn, and the occasional carrot, but that's about it. I do enjoy a good salad every once in awhile. I've recently fallen in love with Wendy's Salads. Their vegetables are chopped fresh each day, and they only use premium all-white meat chicken breasts. You can see the journey of the veggies to your plate in these videos.
Even if you're like me, and don't enjoy vegetables, you'll still love their salads, and they have several different kinds to choose from, including my two favorites Spicy Chicken Caesar salad and BBQ Ranch Chicken salad. I love the lemon garlic Caesar dressing that the Spicy Chicken Caesar salad is dressed with.
And of course I love anything with ranch. Their BBQ Ranch Chicken salad was absolutely divine. I love the BBQ ranch dressing, and it also came with croutons on the side that I quickly added to my salad. I got the half size, which is only 300 calories. Insane, right? Plus, it contains two servings of vegetables. You can taste the freshness of the salads, which makes it easy to incorporate them into your meals a few times a week.
TAKE THE STAIRS
This is just an old school way of saying walk a little more. You may not want to take daily walks or runs, but that shouldn't stop you from being more active. Even if you don't have stairs around, you should make it a point to take more steps during your day. Skip the elevator, take the scenic route, take a break from your desk and just walk around a little.
What advice would you give someone trying to live a healthier lifestyle?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Oh man that salad looks yummy! I've been pleasantly surprised by some fast food chains' salad selections, and this one looks like it's staying true to promise!
Today's the first day in a month that I missed my hot lemon water. Totally throws off my day now. Great tips! I love that there are salad options at fast foods!
Great tips! When you take the stairs, take 2 at a time from now on. Always. Run them....built in HIIT workout. Stand to work, don't sit when you're on your computer or any other time other than driving and eating.
Is it okay that I am completely angry my work refuses to let us take stairs unless for an emergency? We are forced to ride elevators in escalators. #BOO
I couldn't agree more about water intake!! Adding fruit always helps! I alternate with citrus and peppermint essential oils too and it helps me stay on track!
I super needed to read this. I am not the healthiest person at all and I am very bad about not drinking water. This post inspired me to give it a try again. I already feel more energized...although I could do without having to pee every five minutes ha.
Please do! In all fairness... I think it has something to do with the person who died in the stairwell and no one found her body for 2 days... MAYBE that's a reason... but I am not sure if they were open for OUR use before that or not... as I was working in a different building of ours at the time. We have 4 buildings (3 of them are 30+ stories) connected.. you can use the stairs in the other 3.. but NOT mine (which is only 6 floors.... WTF!!) lol
I live by my hot lemon water. While everyone else is sick with colds and the flu I'm just healthy and drinking away. Sometimes I add honey for a little more. But that's fairly rare.
I used to eat them all the time, but then I stopped, and then when I had one this past weekend, and I went back the next day and got another. So good! That Caesar lemon dressing is everything.
My sister always parks at the very end of parking lots at restaurants, malls, stores, church, school, and work. That way, she has a longer walk that isn't too long or intrusive.
I'm sad to admit that I've never had fruit infused water! I've had flavored water and lemon water, but that's about it. I'm going to have to try it out!
I'm not a veggie person either, so I think these salads are a good compromise. I hear some people juice veggies to get their veggie fix, but I don't know if I could handle that.
I read once that a great way to burn extra calories is to be counterproductive when you can be. Meaning that even if you can take all your groceries inside in 1 trip, make it 2, etc... I try to stick to that thinking whenever I'm not in a rush. I also think that a great way to live healthier without being invasive is to eat at home. I try to eat 90% of my weekly meals at home. They aren't always healthy but at least I know that what I'm making at home is better than fast food and I can control the portion size.
Agree with so much of this. Water is HUGE. Having that as the only option in the house is what's really changed my lifestyle. Not to mention it also helps to not be spending money on sugary drinks! But there really is nothing that can replace good old excercise.
So after the whole Blue Bell Listeria fiasco, Jon and I really wanted Blue Bell, but of course, we just have a quart sitting in our freezer that we can't eat lest we get poisoned. So instead, we ate fruit parfaits, and it was oddly satisfying. I guess we're all just growing up. Sigh. I'm not ready.
That's so smart! The only things I drink in my house are water and wine. I'm still trying to wean my boyfriend off of it though. He loves his coffee and Dr. Pepper! It really does help with spending too. I really want to get into a good workout routine as well, but I'm trying to take small steps!
I've been trying hard to drink more water and I can easily notice the difference and 99% of it has been positive. I don't enjoy going to the bathroom quite as much as I do, but oh well. I keep seeing the benefits of lemon water and when I work events at my job we often have fruit infused water that I drink, but I've never done it at home. I should really try that! I don't think I could ever give up my coffee as my first thing I drink in the morning though.
Okay, seriously, I hate going to the bathroom. It's such a waste of time. I mean, I guess it technically isn't, but it's really inconvenient to just pause life for a second just to go to the bathroom. But you're right, drinking lots of water does make a difference and really just helps you feel better! I've been drinking lemon water for about a week now, and it's really helped. Or maybe it's just in my mind, but either way, I love it. It helps me feel more energized in the morning (I'm not a morning person at all), and then it just makes me feel good about myself. I'm excited to see what the results will be long-term. I've never been a coffee drinker, so it was an easy transition for me. You may have to ease your way into it haha.
Great tips! I definitely take the stairs at work (or anywhere where there's an option!) and I'm always drinking water throughout the day. I love salads, but don't eat as many as I'd like in winter, but with the weather starting to warm up, I'll start craving them soon and eat one most days of the week! I used to drink lemon water first thing in the morning and loved the affects, until I went for my dental cleaning and my dentist warned me that doing that erodes the enamel off your teeth (I didn't mention I was drinking lemon water, but he guessed)...he said it drives them crazy that this is such the hot thing because it's so damaging to your teeth, so just an FYI! :) (I asked if it would be okay if I drank it through a straw and he said it's better, but still bad :( ).
I need to start taking the stairs more at work! I usually just take the elevator, but now that you mention it, I'm definitely going to start doing it more! I've been trying to use an enamel strengthening toothpaste and mouthwash, but I'm not sure that will do much. I just love the effects of the lemon water, so I don't know what I'll do! Ah! I never thought of drink it through a straw, but every little bit helps, so I'm going to try that. I go see my dentist in a few months, so we'll see if they say anything. Sigh.
Yes to all of these! Especially water. That's so important!
ReplyDeleteWater is something I need to try to drink. I'm not a veggie person. But I want to try. I'm just such a picky eater.
ReplyDeleteOh man that salad looks yummy! I've been pleasantly surprised by some fast food chains' salad selections, and this one looks like it's staying true to promise!
ReplyDeletecominguprosestheblog.com
Today's the first day in a month that I missed my hot lemon water. Totally throws off my day now. Great tips! I love that there are salad options at fast foods!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! When you take the stairs, take 2 at a time from now on. Always. Run them....built in HIIT workout. Stand to work, don't sit when you're on your computer or any other time other than driving and eating.
ReplyDeleteThat salad looks awesome. When changing to a healthier lifestyle you need to take baby step. Like add a new healthier thing to you day each day.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amysfashionblog.com/blog-home
Is it okay that I am completely angry my work refuses to let us take stairs unless for an emergency? We are forced to ride elevators in escalators. #BOO
ReplyDeleteI love love love salads but the way I dress them up in the end, I might as well be eating a burger instead! Hee hee!!!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more about water intake!! Adding fruit always helps! I alternate with citrus and peppermint essential oils too and it helps me stay on track!
ReplyDeleteI super needed to read this. I am not the healthiest person at all and I am very bad about not drinking water. This post inspired me to give it a try again. I already feel more energized...although I could do without having to pee every five minutes ha.
ReplyDeleteI need to find your workplace and punch whoever made up that rule. >:[
ReplyDeletePlease do! In all fairness... I think it has something to do with the person who died in the stairwell and no one found her body for 2 days... MAYBE that's a reason... but I am not sure if they were open for OUR use before that or not... as I was working in a different building of ours at the time. We have 4 buildings (3 of them are 30+ stories) connected.. you can use the stairs in the other 3.. but NOT mine (which is only 6 floors.... WTF!!) lol
ReplyDeleteI know... why can't we get the seem effects from water that we do from wine??? I'd be ALL about water then.... :(
ReplyDeleteI love getting Burgers-in-a-Bowl, too :P At least I know I am getting some protein with my salad, anyway....
ReplyDeleteI never knew about the hot lemon water... I mean, I usually drink green tea in the mornings, though.
ReplyDeleteCover it all in RANCH! Or... does.. that defeat the health purpose? lol
ReplyDeleteI love Wendy's salads. I get their side salads & 4 chicken nuggets for dinner on a regular basis. And I love their Caesar Lemon Garlic dressing. Mmmm.
ReplyDeleteI live by my hot lemon water. While everyone else is sick with colds and the flu I'm just healthy and drinking away. Sometimes I add honey for a little more. But that's fairly rare.
ReplyDeleteI used to eat them all the time, but then I stopped, and then when I had one this past weekend, and I went back the next day and got another. So good! That Caesar lemon dressing is everything.
ReplyDeleteMy sister always parks at the very end of parking lots at restaurants, malls, stores, church, school, and work. That way, she has a longer walk that isn't too long or intrusive.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a good idea! I think I may start doing that from now on.
ReplyDeleteI'm sad to admit that I've never had fruit infused water! I've had flavored water and lemon water, but that's about it. I'm going to have to try it out!
ReplyDeleteI usually have that same problem too, and then I also use way too much dressing.
ReplyDeleteI'm more of a chicken sandwich in a bowl person because my burgers are unbelievably plain.
ReplyDeleteThat is the strangest rule I've ever heard of!
ReplyDeleteBoth of the salads were so good! It made me want to make more of them. Jon and I are definitely trying to take baby steps to live a little healthier.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the advice! I'll definitely have to utilize those tips at work.
ReplyDeleteI just started drinking it, and even though I don't enjoy the taste, I love how it makes me feel.
ReplyDeleteIt was! It's all I want to eat lately.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a veggie person either, so I think these salads are a good compromise. I hear some people juice veggies to get their veggie fix, but I don't know if I could handle that.
ReplyDeleteRANCH ON EVERYTHING! Oddly, I eat ranch with a lot of things, but I don't eat it on salads. I'm weird.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you agree! Even though water is my drink of choice, I still don't drink enough of it. I'm trying to change that though.
ReplyDeleteI got chicken nuggets last night and had a salad instead of fries. Not sure if the world is ending or I'm becoming better at the adult thing.
ReplyDeleteI read once that a great way to burn extra calories is to be counterproductive when you can be. Meaning that even if you can take all your groceries inside in 1 trip, make it 2, etc... I try to stick to that thinking whenever I'm not in a rush. I also think that a great way to live healthier without being invasive is to eat at home. I try to eat 90% of my weekly meals at home. They aren't always healthy but at least I know that what I'm making at home is better than fast food and I can control the portion size.
ReplyDeleteAgree with so much of this. Water is HUGE. Having that as the only option in the house is what's really changed my lifestyle. Not to mention it also helps to not be spending money on sugary drinks! But there really is nothing that can replace good old excercise.
ReplyDeleteSo after the whole Blue Bell Listeria fiasco, Jon and I really wanted Blue Bell, but of course, we just have a quart sitting in our freezer that we can't eat lest we get poisoned. So instead, we ate fruit parfaits, and it was oddly satisfying. I guess we're all just growing up. Sigh. I'm not ready.
ReplyDeleteThat's such great advice! I'm definitely one of those people who likes to load up my arms and try to make just one trip to the house with groceries.
ReplyDeleteThat's so smart! The only things I drink in my house are water and wine. I'm still trying to wean my boyfriend off of it though. He loves his coffee and Dr. Pepper! It really does help with spending too. I really want to get into a good workout routine as well, but I'm trying to take small steps!
ReplyDeleteI've been trying hard to drink more water and I can easily notice the difference and 99% of it has been positive. I don't enjoy going to the bathroom quite as much as I do, but oh well. I keep seeing the benefits of lemon water and when I work events at my job we often have fruit infused water that I drink, but I've never done it at home. I should really try that! I don't think I could ever give up my coffee as my first thing I drink in the morning though.
ReplyDeleteI feel ya. 26 has got me down in a big way.
ReplyDeleteOkay, seriously, I hate going to the bathroom. It's such a waste of time. I mean, I guess it technically isn't, but it's really inconvenient to just pause life for a second just to go to the bathroom. But you're right, drinking lots of water does make a difference and really just helps you feel better! I've been drinking lemon water for about a week now, and it's really helped. Or maybe it's just in my mind, but either way, I love it. It helps me feel more energized in the morning (I'm not a morning person at all), and then it just makes me feel good about myself. I'm excited to see what the results will be long-term. I've never been a coffee drinker, so it was an easy transition for me. You may have to ease your way into it haha.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I definitely take the stairs at work (or anywhere where there's an option!) and I'm always drinking water throughout the day. I love salads, but don't eat as many as I'd like in winter, but with the weather starting to warm up, I'll start craving them soon and eat one most days of the week! I used to drink lemon water first thing in the morning and loved the affects, until I went for my dental cleaning and my dentist warned me that doing that erodes the enamel off your teeth (I didn't mention I was drinking lemon water, but he guessed)...he said it drives them crazy that this is such the hot thing because it's so damaging to your teeth, so just an FYI! :) (I asked if it would be okay if I drank it through a straw and he said it's better, but still bad :( ).
ReplyDeleteI need to start taking the stairs more at work! I usually just take the elevator, but now that you mention it, I'm definitely going to start doing it more! I've been trying to use an enamel strengthening toothpaste and mouthwash, but I'm not sure that will do much. I just love the effects of the lemon water, so I don't know what I'll do! Ah! I never thought of drink it through a straw, but every little bit helps, so I'm going to try that. I go see my dentist in a few months, so we'll see if they say anything. Sigh.
ReplyDelete