10 Steps to Stay Healthy and Fit this Winter

There are a lot of small steps and extra efforts anyone can do to make their day a little brighter and healthier.  A better diet, daily routine and mindset are all ways to stay healthy this winter. You don’t even have to wait for the winter to do this as you can start this whenever. However, remember the first step is starting today…not tomorrow!

1. Keep water with you at all times.
2. Take a multi-vitamin that assists with your goals.
3. Eat smaller portions. You don’t have to eat that whole bag.
4. Don’t pick off your kids’ plates, their food has calories, too.
5. Keep low calorie, healthy snacks in easy to reach places.
6. Play with your kids.
7. Go the distance. Take the stairs or park farther away.
8. Do house work or yard work.
9. Take your iPod for a walk.
10. Take up a routine (yoga, pilates, aerobics).

Keep water with you at all times.
Water is the perfect drink. It hydrates you and has no calories at all. Keeping water with you all day helps in many different ways. Having it with you keeps you drinking it. By simply having a bottle of water at your desk you’ll grab for it without even thinking. Water also helps to detox that coffee you had earlier. Strive for 8 glasses of water a day to keep down water weight and you just might notice you don’t have much room left for that soda.

Take a multi vitamin that assists with your goals.
Vitamin companies got smart, they started labeling their vitamins for what they can do. One A Day has a line of vitamins like “Women’s Health” and “Weight Smart” to make it easy to tell what they can do for you. Whether your goal is to be more energetic in your active life or to speed up your metabolism, there’s a vitamin out there that can help you get there.

Eat smaller portions.
Something as simple as eating off a smaller plate can make a world of difference. When you were little you were told to clean your plates, and now you do. But the plates are much bigger. Try and cut down your portions, chances are your eyes are bigger than your stomach. And when you’re eating out, don’t be afraid to ask if you can eat off the kids menu (especially for dessert).

Don’t pick off your kids’ plates, their food has calories, too.
One thing I used to do without noticing was eat off my kids plates. They get wonderful things like corndogs and fries. But, just because they can eat fried food and be perfectly fine, doesn’t mean I can. If you are going to pick off their plates, make sure you take those calories into consideration.

Keep low calorie, healthy snacks in easy to reach places.
In my car door I have a pack of Teddy Grahams. Within sight in my fridge, the first thing I see, is a 1 serving pack of carrots. The best way to keep yourself from eating things that aren’t good for you is to keep those healthy snacks within reach. Unfortunately, Doritos are harder to leave in your desk for a week than grapes, so it does take a bit of an effort.

Play with your kids.
We all play with our kids, but we could definitely do it more. When they go ride bikes, join them. If you don’t have a bike, take a book outside. You’re being with your kids and getting out. You spend all day inside the house or a job, it can be a great release to simply get outside.

Go the distance.
Taking the stairs or parking farther from the store can make more of a difference than the time it takes to do it. The best way to see what a difference it makes is to buy a heart rate monitor and wear it all day. Since that’s pretty much out of the question for most people, try getting a step counter. Measure your steps on a normal day, then measure your steps on a day when you try these tips.

Do house work or yard work.
You clean your house and take care of your yard, but you could do more. Redecorating or landscaping can be fun and very good exercise. At the end you have a sense of accomplishment and will probably feel a nice burn.

Take your iPod for a walk.
Walking with your kids and your dog is nice. It’s time with your family. But sometimes you need some time for just you. So load up your iPod with your favorite music and go for a stroll. When walking alone you’re more likely to speed it up because you’re not talking (and therefor breathing more steady) and you don’t have to stop for your dog to pee in every yard.

Take up a routine (yoga, pilates, aerobics).
Yoga has been my one true love. At 6am I wake up, before anyone else, and go down to do yoga on Oxygen. I’ve noticed a few differences including better weight management, better mood throughout the day, and better eating habits. Exercise in the morning is best, but if you don’t have time the afternoon can be good as well. If your job offers you a free gym membership take advantage of those classes. Pick your goal and the workout that will help you get there.