We always make resolutions and plans to change our lifestyle, start eating better, and work out regularly. But why is it so hard to stay consistent? Most often, a balanced diet seems like you have to sacrifice a lot, while working out regularly seems like a lot of work.
It is important to get down to the basics and understand what will work for you and what will not. It is not just about reading an eat well guide online and then finding that it does not suit your preferences or is simply inconvenient to follow. It is important to know how to break these diet and exercise suggestions down and customize them for yourself.
How to Stay Consistent with a Balanced Diet
A well balanced diet is not easy to stay consistent with. But there are some simple tips that you can follow:
- Take the Help of an Expert
Most diets fail because you are occupied with the process of planning your meal every day. The best way to resolve this is to get an expert to prepare a healthy balanced diet plan for you. It includes all the meals that you should consume in a day. If you wish to go a step further, you can even choose food delivery services that send you food every day based on the recommendation of your nutritionist.
- Add More Variety
You are most likely to crave unhealthy foods when you are bored with your diet. The food groups that are commonly included are the best options to get started with for a balanced diet. Each of these groups gives you multiple options. All you have to do is mix them up to prepare different types of foods to keep your diet plan exciting each day.
- Eat Fibrous Foods
When you make a switch to a healthier diet plan, chances are – you will experience some hunger pangs and cravings. There is a simple way to avoid this and stay consistent with your diet. All you have to do is increase your fiber intake with whole grains or raw fruits and vegetables. Fiber keeps you feeling fuller for longer. This ensures that you do not have recurring cravings for sweet and fatty foods.
- Find a Partner
Staying motivated with your meal plan may require some extra help. Finding a partner who you know would follow a diet plan with you, keep you in check, and make it more fun to stick to your healthy eating plan. You can hold each other accountable and even talk each other out of those moments of weakness when you want to stray away from the plan.
- Don’t Let Guilt Take Over
The worst thing about a diet plan is feeling guilty every time you indulge. It is natural to want to binge on your favorite foods sometimes, especially when it is a special occasion or a celebration. Normalize this for yourself so that it does not demotivate you so much that you never want to get back on a healthy balanced diet. As long as it is occasional and in moderation, indulgence is actually good for you.
Importance of Regular Exercise with Balanced Diet
If your goal is to only lose weight, then you may look at regular exercise and healthy eating as exclusive and complementary to each other at the same time.
However, the importance of regular exercise goes beyond weight loss. It ensures long-lasting health and is the best way to prevent a host of health issues in the future. Let us take a look at some of the vital benefits of regular exercise:
- Helps Keep Health Issues at Bay
Working out on a regular basis is one of the best ways to prevent degeneration of your bones and tissues with age. This keeps you more active even when you are older. Among the several benefits of daily exercise is a better range of motion. So, you don’t experience stiffness or pain in your joints and can enjoy better functionality overall.
2. Balances Your Calorie Intake
Even when you are consuming a healthy diet, you consume calories. Most of them may be used up with the functions of your organs. However, the excess calories are a challenge, especially when you are trying to lose weight. Regular exercise helps you stay in shape by balancing calorie consumption and expenditure each day.
3. Helps You Make the Most of Your Diet
What good is a balanced meal that is loaded with nutrients if it is not being consumed by the body efficiently? When you work out, your body needs more fuel. This maximizes your nutrient absorption to facilitate physical activity. As a result, you are able to get the complete benefits of the diet that you have decided to follow.
4. Keeps You Mentally Relaxed
The importance of regular exercise is not limited to the physical benefits that come with it. It is good for your mind too. When you find yourself too stressed with work or other challenges that you face on a daily basis, working out is a great solution. The endorphins or happy hormones, when released, keep you feeling calm and relaxed. They also help you think clearly and get more done each day.
Does Regular Exercise Mean Going to the Gym?
There are some people who prefer the gym and others who just don’t. The objective is to add some physical activity into your daily routine. This could be dancing, walking, picking up a sport, or just about anything that gets you moving.
However, weight training is highly recommended if you are trying to reach your weight loss or fitness goals faster. The objective of your exercise will help you determine what works best for you. If you are someone who likes going outdoors to stay active, activities like cycling may interest you more. On the other hand, if you prefer a more controlled training environment, you may want to get that gym membership.
Here are three simple tips to make sure that you stick to regular exercise:
- Choose an activity that you enjoy so that working out does not seem like an effort.
- Pick a time each day and stick to it, no matter what. Plan your day in such a way that you can take a dedicated time slot out for your exercise.
- Even if you are working out at home, dress appropriately. This immediately puts your mind into training mode and eliminates feelings of laziness.
Conclusion
The best way to maintain a routine of balanced diet and regular exercise is to include them in your schedule in increments. Making drastic changes may be harder to cope with. If you are unable to plan this on your own, there are several experts who can help you.
