Setting resolutions or goals is a great way to start the year fresh, but as many of us know all too well, ditching old habits isn’t easy.
And the most common changes for 2016 many of you set out to create last month are related to physical and emotional health- lifestyle changes.
When I work with my clients, we work together on clarifying their ideal lifestyle & schedule, uncovering their primary challenges/obstacles, and designing an action plan that makes new lifestyle changes easier.
To help you keep your new lifestyle changes going, here are 5 things you can do to make it easier.
Stock up on the good stuff
It’s waaaaay easier to prepare healthy meals when your cupboards are stocked with super healthy foods. This one step can have a massive impact on your life. Trust me. If your kitchen is well-stocked with some of the best food choices, you will probably use them in your meals and snacks, right? Pack your kitchen with some of the worst food choices and that’s what you’ll eat instead. Not to mention that keeping your kitchen well stocked gets rid of the what-the-hell-can-I-make-for-dinner stress. I’ve created an easy guide to get you started. Click here to get the guide
Make moving it fun
Exercise can be and should be something you look forward to. If you need an extra “fun boost”, turn your social calendar into active + social. Have a regular Saturday morning coffee date with your girl friends? Why not a Spin class + coffee date. Signup for dance classes with your man, join a run club, learn to ski, or go hiking with your family. Making exercise fun can really change the way you look and health and fitness.
Plan it out
Exercise: Sit down with your schedule at the beginning of every week. Where can you fit in your workouts? Write it down. Treat it as you would any other appointment. Show up. This may not seem as urgent as other commitments in your calendar, but it is. This is time for YOU.
Food: Dedicate one day a weak to cook a big batch of stuff and get yourself organized. Do this next weekend- Sunday afternoon roast a chicken in the oven. Since that oven is on, add another pan of veggies the last hour to roast. You’ll get 2-3 meals out of this. While your cooking, chop some veggies (like carrots celery and onions) for later in the week and wash and prepare your greens. Now any night you can whip up a meal in 15 min.
Drop the no time excuse
I don’t care how busy you are you can fit in exercise at home. Have 2-3 routines ready you can do in your living room in case you can’t make it to the gym, your regular classes, a run etc. You can get started with this one here.
Fall in love with one pot meals.
There’s something very cozy about a one-pot dinner. And piping hot bowl of deliciousness is the ultimate comfort food during the winter months. Not to mention it’s super easy—one pot for cooking means one pot for cleaning. Try my recipe below for Vegetarian Moroccan Stew. It’s healthy, delish and easy. (It also freezes well, and you can pull it out another night when you’re pressed for time)
Vegetarian Moroccan Stew
Ingredients
1 tbs coconut oil
1 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 carrot, chopped
1 parsnip, chopped
4 sweet potatoes peeled, cubed
3 1/2 cups of vegetable broth
1 can diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups cooked chick peas
1 cup cooked lentils
2 1/2 teaspoons grated ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp each ground coriander, curry powder, cumin, smoked paprika
1/4 cup raisins
salt and pepper to taste (for kick ad dry ground chillies)
chopped raw cashews
chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
In a large pot, on med- low heat, saute onions, garlic, celery, carrot, and parsnip with coconut oil. Cook until vegetables soften.
Add sweet potatoes, tomatoes, stock and spices. Bring to a boil. Reduce to low and simmer for 15- 20 minutes.
Add chickpeas and lentils and simmer for 5 min.
Remove from heat. Stir in raisins.
Garnish with chopped cilantro and cashews.
In the comments section below, I’d love for you to share how you’re going to make healthy living easier this year.
Warmly,
Ana
