Spring into Healthy Habits with these Five Tips

March is National Nutrition Month, a great time to get motivated and re-focus on those New Year’s resolutions. Here are five tips to help you stay on track.

 1. Eat What You Love.

All foods can fit into a healthy diet, so long as you use the common-sense principles of BMA: Balance, Moderation, and Assortment.

Balance eating for enjoyment with eating for nourishment. For this reason, I have a smoothie almost every morning for breakfast. It insures I start my day well-nourished and satisfied.

Moderation is key. While my smoothies are absolutely delicious and I’m tempted to drink the entire blender-full, I keep my eye on portion control. Too much of even a good thing is simply too much.

Assortment is what keeps me on track. I alternate between my favorite smoothies during the week (chocolate chia, pear avocado, coconut cranberry, and blueberry), and I try at least one new recipe every week; or I’ll make the Apple-a-Day cereal that my family loves. Sundays are my fun days! Knowing I’ve done well all week, I can enjoy two small apple cider donuts at the greenmarket with my cordatido, have the delicious blueberry bars featured in Hamptons Entertaining, or indulge in my favorite brunch dish—spicy grits and shrimp—at The Colony Hotel

2. Practice Kaizen.

Kaizen is the Japanese word for “improvement” and is often used to describe the process of continuous improvement. I first heard the word at a lecture given by renowned life coach Annharriet Buck. She explained the practice of Kaizen as taking baby steps, constantly moving toward your goals, and suggested that changes made slowly and mindfully stick! From small dietary tweaks to actually taking real steps, begin slowly and continuously. Improvement will happen naturally. I recently purchased the UP2 Jawbone and started tracking my steps. After the New Year, I began with a goal of 5,000 steps per day and now I’m up to 10,000! It just happened. Physical activity is a very important part of becoming a healthier you.

3. Get Your “Numbers” Checked Regularly.

Recently, I had my cholesterol and sugar levels checked on a Sunday. I then spent the entire week eating a whole-food, plant-based diet. (It’s wonderful from a healthful, environmental, and ethical standpoint, but admittedly takes a lot of focus!) I upped my daily movement substantially, too. Yes, I felt great, but on the following Sunday when I had my “numbers” checked again I was astounded! My total cholesterol went down by 11 points and my glucose levels dropped by 13! Keeping a close eye on your “numbers” helps make sure you’re not at risk of or suffering from any chronic conditions and it can be a motivator to stay the course.

4. Sleep Well.

Getting a good night’s sleep is a must. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can lead to overeating and we all know that it can play havoc on our moods. Better sleep may mean less yet better eating and putting good habits in place before bedtime can help you get there. No mindlessly flipping through Instagram, answering email, or even watching Netflix an hour before sleep. Screen time can play havoc with your body’s production of melatonin. Getting to bed the same time every night is a challenge for me, so with my new UP2 I set a sleep alarm for an hour before bedtime. It prompts me to start shutting down my devices and begin my bedtime routine. After nearly three months of practice (kaizen!), I begin winding down almost immediately when my alarm buzzes.

5. Meditate.

Begin a practice that works for you and fits into your schedule. It is so hard to resist reaching for that glowing iPhone the second my eyes open in the morning, so I’ve trained myself to mediate first, hydrate next, and then start my day. When I begin my morning this way, I’m calmer and feel more in control of everything. There are many ways to meditate and all have been shown to help with everything from stress levels to insomnia and boosting overall happiness. Meditation can also help with food cravings.

These simple tips can put you on the path to better health and well-being—one step at a time.