Habits Hurting Your Health
By Sara Butler
If you’ve ever tried to break a habit that wasn’t healthy, then you know it can be really difficult. You must wake up each morning and make a choice – are you going to change or fall short of your goals for your health and wellness? This can be a very challenging choice, especially when talking about changes to your diet and exercise habits. Here are some habits that are hurting your health and how you can put them behind you to make wellness a priority.
What You’re Up Against
Saying you want to change your habits isn’t enough. When attempting to ditch unhealthy behaviors you face obstacles such as:
- Unhealthy habits you’ve had for years
- Convenience and efficiency
- Immediate satisfaction
You have a lot against you, but recognizing bad habits and why they’re so seductive is the first step to busting them!
Bad Habit No. 1: Eating on the Go
Everyone has fallen into this trap at some point. You’re late for school, work, or a PTA meeting and you stop for an easy and convenient bite to eat at a drive-thru.
Eating when you’re out and about is a habit that can bust your health and wellness goals. Many convenience foods are laden with fat and calories, which is why you need to get savvy with your snacking and meal prep habits. Take healthy snacks along with you to eat throughout the day. Apples, water, and carrots are easy to keep on hand. Plus, you can prep meals at the beginning of a busy week to help.
Bad Habit No. 2: Skipping Exercise
Everyone gets busy and one of the first things to fall of the schedule is exercise. Exercise is a tool you need to achieve your health and wellness goals. If you’ve not yet mastered the art of fitness as a priority or you’re bored with our workout routine, then you’re more likely to let exercise fall by the wayside.
Motivation to exercise can be regained. Give yourself a small goal you know you can meet and then do your best to meet them each day. Slowly increase your time and goals and you’ll be back in a fitness routine in no time.
No matter your bad habit, the first step is to recognize it’s there. Take the time to understand why you’ve fallen into these habits, then work to make changes you need to be healthy, fit, and happy.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Long Beach, Calif.