3 (Unconventional) Healthy Habits for the New Year!

Happy New Year!

This is the time of year where everyone is focused on healthy new year’s resolutions. And I love it!

Yesterday, I saw so many people happily walking outside with their families and/or their dogs, and it brought such a smile to my face. I love seeing people embrace their health in such a joyful way.

However, I fully understand that not everyone feels this way.

So, if you are feeling a little overwhelmed with allllll the things you feel like you need to do for your health, I want to remind you to start slow, take baby steps and create healthy habits.

What are Healthy Habits?

Healthy habits are the KEY to creating the happy and healthy life you want.

Many people think that habits should be big, like going to the gym every day for 2 hours, or never eating bread again.

Hint: these are not habits.

These are very challenging and possibly not attainable tasks.

Instead, think of habits as small daily actions that you can do consistently, no matter what.

Think of habits as non-negotiables for your life.

3 Unconventional Healthy Habits for the New Year

As the new year begins, many people choose healthy habits focused on losing weight.

The potential downside of focusing solely on weight loss is that it can demonize certain food groups or cause you to create or deepen an unhealthy relationship with food, leading to increased feelings of shame and guilt.

That’s why I wanted to give you 3 unconventional healthy habits that you can start in the New Year, to help you create a healthier relationship with food and your body.

Healthy Habit #1: Slow Down and Enjoy Your Food

Instead of hurriedly wolfing down a meal between meetings, create space and time to sit, eat and enjoy your food.

Mindfully eating has been shown to help you savor the flavors more, increase how much you chew your food (which also helps digestion), and allows you to better connect with feelings of hunger and fullness.

This is especially important if you have trouble judging when you feel full and tend to overeat.

How to start this healthy habit today: take one meal or snack today, and be fully present as you eat it. Leave any distractions in another room and really enjoy your food. Notice the flavors, textures, temperature, colors, and when feelings of fullness arise. Really savor this connection to your body and to the food you’re eating.

Healthy Habit #2: Move Your Body in a Joyful Way

If you look at working out like a chore, or worse, torture, find ways to move your body each day that bring you joy.

This could be outdoor walks with friends aka what I call “a walk and talk”. It could be peaceful yoga in your bedroom, lifting weights while watching Chris Hemsworth (if you haven’t seen his series Limitless yet, it is so good!), or anything else that helps you feel happy while also moving your body.

When we make daily activities as enjoyable as possible, it activates the reward center of the brain, increases the hormone oxytocin, and helps us feel so much better that we are more likely to keep doing it.

How to start this healthy habit today: What would help your body feel really good right now? An impromptu dance party to your fave song? A game of chase with the kids? A Youtube Extreme Hip Hop Step video? The choice is yours! Find what feels good and go do it!

Healthy Habit #3: See Food as the Ultimate Form of Self-Care

This habit is a pivotal part of my nutrition coaching.

How would you feel if you saw food as self-care?

How would what you put on your plate change, if you deeply desired to nourish this incredible body you’re in?

How would you look after yourself differently if you cared for yourself like you would a dear friend, a sweet child, or a loving family member?

When we shift our perspective about food, away from guilt and shame, and towards self-care and nourishment, it allows those negative emotions to dissipate and allows a greater sense of ease and well-being to naturally fill our lives.

How to start this healthy habit today: Before you reach for your next meal or snack, remind yourself “food is my self-care”. Notice how the feeling in your body changes, how your mind eases, if other foods sounds more enticing and nourishing now.

Pair this habit with Habit #1 and you’ve got some amazing healthy habits happening!

For a personalized approach to weight loss and nutritious eating, apply here for a FREE 20 minute consultation call.

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Hey! I’m Renata!

Your intuitive nutrition coach and fellow food lover. I’m here to help you find the foods that work best for your body, without feeling deprived or starving.