Spring into healthy habits

Spring is the perfect time for new beginnings and making healthy lifestyle changes for you and your family. With the weather beginning to warm up, it’s easy to turn your thoughts to preparing for summer or your New Year’s resolution might have taken a back seat over the past few months, well now is a great time to pick it up and make it happen for the year ahead.

1. Skip the fad diets

A quick fix diet will not give you the long term results you are looking for. Depriving your body of the nutrients and balance it needs isn’t good for your health. Instead, if you are trying to lose weight, you should focus on a moderate loss, ideally of around 1lb a week. Making your diet a lifestyle change rather than a restriction is the way to go, here we look at how to maintain a balanced diet.

2. Out with the old, in with the new

Now is the perfect time to clean out your cupboards and fridge. Get rid of any trigger foods and junk foods that might have been hiding away since Christmas. It’s ok to have cravings and indulge occasionally but if you want to change your eating habits for the better then restock your shelves with healthy, fresh choices.

3. Cook it up, don’t take it out

Don't make cooking a chore. Set aside some time to try new recipes and take control of what you’re putting in your body. Meal prepping is a great way to stick to a health plan as you’ve spent time preparing your meals properly. Plan in meals you know you will enjoy and make healthy swaps like adding in extra vegetables and cutting out processed foods.

4. Spend time outside

We feel so much happier when there is daylight after work, so take advantage of it. Take in some fresh air and enjoy a nice walk, some gardening or play in the back garden with the kids. Spending time outside has significant health benefits and is great both physically and mentally.

5. Switch off

It’s important to spend time doing stuff you enjoy. Reduce your screen time by 30 minutes a day and instead spend the time doing something you enjoy, whether that’s a family bike ride or dancing around your living room. Switch it off and switch on around others.

6. Set yourself some goals

Working towards a goal is vital in life. You want to run your first 10K, drink more water each day, aim to get 8 hours of sleep or want to start saving, whatever your goals write them down and hold yourself accountable. If you can set your mind to something, you can achieve it.

7. Learn something new

Now’s the time to take up that Spanish lesson, otherwise you might have this unfulfilled dream forever. If you have a desire to learn something new, then take that next step and sign up! It might be a dance class, learning judo or taking cooking lessons. Whatever it is that you want to learn, do it now, don’t wait around.