Thanksgiving has come and gone and now we have just survived Christmas. There were probably too many cookies consumed and a few too many servings of cheesy broccoli but don’t worry IT’S OK! As the New Year is approaching many people reflect on the past thinking about goals achieved and those that may have feel a little short. One of the biggest goals for many in the New Year is to lose weight. Many will join a gym for the very first time or go back to the gym in which they haven’t step foot in for months. Exercising plays a big role in weight loose but getting back into the swing of things takes time. The gym isn’t for everyone but you can still reach those weight loose goals by making minor changes in your daily routine.

  1. SLEEP- Sleep affects our physical and mental health tremendously, and many of us do not get enough. Lack of sleep adversely affects metabolism, mood, concentration, memory, motor skills, stress hormones and even the immune system and cardiovascular health. Sleep allows the body to heal, repair and rejuvenate itself in a way it simply cannot when a person is awake.
  2. EAT BREAKFEST EACH DAY- A healthy breakfast starts your day off right. It sets you up so that you have energy and fuel for optimal mental and physical performance. Eating breakfast helps to maintain stable blood sugar levels and a healthy weight because you are less likely to over indulge later in the day.
  3. DRINK WATER- Set down that soda and replace it with the ever so yummy H2O! Our bodies are made mostly of water. Most fluids and foods contain water that will help to keep our bodies hydrated, but fresh, clean, plain water is still the best and healthiest beverage for maintaining a healthy body. It is the most natural cleanser for our organs and digestive system. TaylerMade Tip (Use sugar free crystal light or other sugar free drink mixes to add flavor to that plain water,)
  4. CREATE A FITNESS HABIT-There are many things you can do throughout the day to burn more calories. Sometimes these things may not seem like they can help you lose weight, but if you adopt them as a fitness habit, the amount of daily calories you burn will add up. You can do something as simple as park farther away. Every day you have an opportunity to burn more calories by sacrificing a little convenience. When you park at the grocery store or your place of work, park in the back of the parking lot or at least farther away than normal. With the amount of errands an average person has in a week parking farther away will add up to about 19 miles a year. (Ref: LiveStrong.com)
  5. PICK THE SMALLER PLATE-Having a portion-sized meal on a large plate makes it look empty, small and it somehow loses its appeal. However, when you take the same portion and put it on a smaller side plate, it instantly looks bigger and more satisfying. Eating off smaller platesallows you to control your portions and not overeat.