It’s easy to wish you could adopt a healthy habit, it would be so much easier. Creating habits that will help you be successful is the  first step. Whether you want to start exercising, eating more vegetables, or any healthy habit change, here are five steps to get you there. Healthy living habits are important. The way you prepare food and how it gets into your body counts, too! Health is more than just eating well. Pick your healthy habits and create small actions steps that will help you to achieve it. Try making one of these 5 hacks to your lifestyle to set you on the right path.

 Drink your coffee black! (or drink green tea)

All the sugars and milks added to your coffee make it more caloric than an ice cream Sunday. Keep your morning drink, a drink not a meal! Plus black coffee is good for you, it can improve brain and liver functions but remember all in moderation.

Forget the soda!

A daily soda is so high in sugar that overtime it can increase your chances of  Parkinson’s, Heart Disease and Diabetes. Try switching to seltzer or my favorite; water with lemon. You can add some stevia or truvia to sweeten it too. Work on cutting down your sugar intake and killing that sugar craving.

Cut Your Portion Size

Do you know what a portion of pasta really is? The size of a clenched fist! Yes that’s it! Paying attention to how much you’re eating can prevent you from over doing it and lead to a healthier balanced meal. If you are still hungry, take a look at your meal. Is ½ of your plate vegetables? Their fiber content will leave you satiated and provide you needed minerals and nutrients.

Sleep, sleep and sleep

If your are feeling sleepy during the day, you will be tempted to reach for the sugary snack, a quick boost of energy. Later you may skip the gym and pick up take out on your way home, to tired to cook. Sleep plays a huge role in curbing your cravings. Many studies have found that lack of sleep can lead to high junk food consumption. It’s a vicious cycle, and ultimately sleep deprivation can sabotage your waistline and your health.

Start your day with a glass of lemon water

It’s simple: Before bed, squeeze half a fresh lemon into a glass, fill half way with water and put in the refrigerator. In the morning, top it off with hot water and drink. Lemons are very high in Vitamin C, which is great for fighting colds. Lemons are also high in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings. It also has been shown that people who maintain a more alkaline diet lose weight faster. My experience is that when I start the day off right, it’s easier to make the good choices for the rest of the day.

All goals need to be real for you and achievable. Want to share?  Post your comments and questions on our facebook page at www.facebook.com/bethsblueprint