Healthy tips for getting fit in 2015 – part 2

Tips to help you start your year on the healthy track.

There are several more healthy tips for 2015 that nutrition experts at CHI Health recommend as part of their 15 healthy tips for 2015. To improve your diet and health Michigan State University Extension recommends that people follow healthy lifestyle tips to achieve optimal health. Here are the second round of tips from CHI Health regarding food shopping, goal setting, physical activity and more, which you can use to be more fit and healthier in 2015:

9. Most people know to never go to the grocery store hungry. Always eat prior to shopping. Keep a small snack-size bag of one-ounce to two-ounce peanuts or almonds with you at all times, a quick bite will help you stick to your shopping list and keep high calorie, low nutritional value foods from finding their way into your cart.

10. Set "really small" goals. The easier the goal, the more likely you are to achieve it. It will be more motivating to achieve losing two pounds, 10 times, compared to trying to lose 20 pounds, getting stuck and giving up.

11. Convince yourself it really is easy. If we think exercise will be hard, it will actually seem that way. Keep reminding yourself that it isn't harder than you can handle. Your chance of success will be much greater!

12. Don't give up what you love. Instead, enjoy a small serving after a healthy meal. Eat it slowly. Pay attention. Savor it! It's much more satisfying.

13. Get back on that horse. Don't let one bad meal, one bad day or even one bad week stop you. Get back on that horse! It doesn't matter how many times you get knocked down but how many times you get up.

14. Think "cortisol." It's a hormone we release when we're stressed. An elevated level can increase cravings for sweets and carbs, which can then lead to overeating and constant hunger. An elevated cortisol level also can cause a larger percentage of fat to be stored in the abdominal area, which causes more cortisol production, meaning increased abdominal fat. Health experts claim that caffeine increases cortisol. So lay off caffeine-laden drinks; coffee, tea and even chocolate. Health experts also advise to get enough sleep. When we don't get adequate amounts of rest, cortisol levels rise, making us feel hungry and less satisfied with the food we do eat.

15. Become your best self, mentally and physically. Health experts suggest that you should focus on what you need to work on. For example, do we need more fruits and vegetables? Focus on health habits rather than a certain number of calories. If you can change diet habits, weight loss will follow.

Before starting any exercise program or engaging in physical activity, it is recommended that you first consult a physician.

Read tips one through eight in Healthy tips for getting fit in 2015 – part 1.

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