Little changes to your family’s routine can have a huge impact on their health. Try incorporating a few of these suggestions into your daily life–you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what a big difference they will make to your family’s well-being.
20. Eat oatmeal. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, eating a diet that is rich in fiber can help lower your cholesterol levels. In addition, eating fiber-heavy foods like oatmeal for breakfast will help you to feel full all morning, reducing your desire for sugary snacks. Dress up oatmeal with delicious, antioxidant-packed dried fruits or Vitamin E-rich raw nuts.
19. Do your own gardening and lawncare. To sculpt strong, shapely arms, mow your lawn with a push mower, and do your own weeding.
18. Trade out your current dishes for smaller ones. Smaller plates will trick you into serving your family smaller portions–a key move if you are interested in weight loss.
17. Get off the bus a few blocks before you need to. Even a few extra minutes of walking every day will help to relax you, as well as improve your cardiovascular health.
16. Switch to skim or non-fat milk and yogurt. You can keep all the protein and calcium benefits of dairy products while losing the extra calories.
15. Eat more chili. Beans are inexpensive, filling, and packed with fiber and protein, making them an excellent alternative to more expensive, fattening proteins, such as red meat.
14. Walk, don’t ride. If your destination is within walking distance, why not stroll there with your family, instead of taking the car? You won’t save time, but you will save gas money.
13. Do crunches or squats during the commercials while you watch TV. Short bursts of exercise while you relax with your favorite programs will help to build muscle tone and strength.
12. Leave the skins on fruits and vegetables. Fruit and vegetable skins often contain high amounts of nutrients and fiber. Save yourself kitchen labor while boosting your family’s antioxidant levels by leaving fruits and vegetables unpeeled.
11. Do chores as a family. Doing household chores will provide your family with aerobic exercise that also makes your home look and feel more pleasant.
10. Hide the good stuff. Store sugary or fatty snacks out of sight on high shelves. Place healthy snacks like fresh fruit or vegetables in plain sight. Your snacking habits will improve in no time.
9. Take a walk together after dinner. A walk around the block after dinner will burn calories and give your family time to digest and bond.
8. Stand up when you talk on the phone. Take the time while chatting to stretch your muscles or do simple exercises, such as leg lifts.
7. Drink a glass of water before and after you eat. Water will help you to hydrate as well as feel more full, which prevents over-eating.
6. Install a pull-up bar in one of your home’s doorways. You’ll find yourself doing pull-ups as you pass through it. Pull-ups are invaluable for toning the arms and stomach.
5. Take the stairs, not the elevator. Encourage your family to go the extra mile. Their legs will thank you!
4. Replace soda with water or pure fruit juice. Soda is full of empty calories, while pure fruit juices provide your family with the vitamins they need to flourish.
3. Use elbow grease, not technology. To burn extra calories, use a rake instead of a leaf blower. Shovel snow by hand, instead of using a snow blower.
2. Stand up straight and proud. Maintaining good posture will help you and your family to strengthen your core muscles, as well as prevent back problems later in life. You’ll also look thinner and more confident.
1. Don’t worry if you have a hard time keeping up your new healthy habit. It’s natural to struggle with lifestyle changes, especially if you have a busy schedule. If you slip up and make an unhealthy decision, don’t chastise yourself–just make a better decision next time.
