3 Healthy Living Habits

Now that the new year is here, everyone is talking about what ways they can eat better and live healthier lives. That’s the best part of the new year right? It’s the perfect time to start a new life chapter or set goals. However, when it comes to healthy living, I strive to make this a year-round goal. And it’s important to set achievable and attainable goals. Here are three simple things that keep me motivated and encouraged to practice healthy living without getting bogged down:

Find An Excuse To Walk More

When I started working from home, I noticed I was becoming less active in my daily routine. By the end of the day, I would get anxious and antsy to get out of the house. And if I didn’t get going, I would feel lethargic and lazy. It is an ongoing battle and something I have worked hard to break.

When I was teaching, I never had to worry about not being active. (You teachers know what I’m talking about!) I never realized how much walking I did while at school.  Whether it was chasing 1st graders around the classroom or refereeing the playgroup at recess, I was very active and always on my feet.

At home, I needed something to motivate me to get out and be active. Since Lucy joined our family last year, I now have an easy excuse to get out more. We go on walks in the mornings around the neighborhood or to a nearby coffee shop. It really helps me to stay active.

And it doesn’t hurt to have a great pair of leggings, right? I’ve mentioned it before, but there’s something motivating about new workout gear. Outdoor Voices is one of my newest obsessions when it comes to recreational apparel. Their leggings are structured, yet allow you to move. I find them to be very slimming and love the minimal print & design. Did I mention how soft they are? Because they are my softest pair of leggings I own…and I own a lot. This Zip Up Hoodie is also nice because of the cropped design. I typically steer clear of crop tops (especially when working out) but this hoodie is the perfect fit. It’s that versatile piece you can wear to and from the gym or if you’re like me, while you walk your dog!

So my advice to you is to find an excuse that gets you out of the house. Walking is an easy activity, but if you don’t have a motivator, staying on the couch is easier. Avoid that by finding your excuse to walk!

Let’s Get Cooking

Confession: I really need to work on this one. I make plenty of excuses not to cook. I justify going out by getting something “healthy” or arguing that it’s not easy to cook for just two people. But those are poor arguments. I often go out with the intentions of eating healthy, but sometimes it does not always go as planned. 🙂 And even when I do think I am eating a healthy salad, it sometimes turns out to be a ton of calories.  With a little work and planning, cooking can be worth it!

Cooking is not only cheaper, but also gives you more control of what goes in your food. At homes, it’s easy to substitute healthier ingredients and control portion sizes. Austin even found a study that said people who cook live longer. Who knew?

For recipes, I usually find some great options on Pinterest. I try to pin the good ones, but maybe I will do a follow-up post of my favorites.

More Water, Please!

I used to be really bad about drinking enough water everyday. But last year I made a strong effort to make this a routine and now it’s something I consciously think about. It has helped clear my skin, keep my hair healthy and just simply feel better. If you’re not convinced, there is a ton of research about how drinking water provides tons of health benefits. Even mild dehydration is scientifically known to impair mood and concentration,  trigger headaches, and even increase your metabolism.

To help me drink more water, I will leave a water bottle at my desk while I’m working. Since it’s in front me, I’m more likely to take a casual sip. It sounds simple, but it works! When I am diligent about drinking more water, I can definitely see the improvements. I’ve been on a lemon and lime water kick lately and always have fresh lemons & limes on hand to toss in my water. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. Literally.

What are ways you practice healthy living? Leave a comment below or feel free to share some tips or resources that you look to for inspiration. Thanks for stopping by! xx Ashley

OUTDOOR VOICES OUTFIT DETAILS: 

Merino Shortstop Top in the color Stone (fit: true to size, boxy. I am in a small! This isn’t your typical ‘tee shirt”. It’s made of thick material and isn’t sheer. I actually wore this with a cardigan and jeans over the weekend!) c/o   | Two-Tone Warm Up Leggings in Navy & Charcoal (true to size) c/o | Merino Zip-Up Hoodie (true to size, this drawstring top is so soft and cozy!)