3 Easy Lifestyle Changes to be Healthier I’m Incorporating

This post is sponsored by the American Cancer Society; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

bra | tights | shoes | mat | dumbbells

The new year is always a chance for a fresh start, and while I know most of us set resolutions to lose weight / get in shape, it can also be hard to keep up the motivation as well as maintain the habits to reach those goals.  February is National Cancer Prevention Month and it’s been a reminder of just how important it is to take care of our bodies.  I want to use today’s post as an opportunity to check in with you all on my goals and share four changes I’ve personally made to get healthier — plus a tip that has really helped me stay consistent! These tips are working for me as part of my New Year’s Resolutions, but listen to your body as they may not work for you!

Know Your Why

I always remind myself that my lifestyle is my choice.  Before I jump into the lifestyle changes to be healthier that I’ve incorporated into my life, I thought it would be more important first to share my motivation behind it all.  Making habit changes and sticking with resolutions isn’t easy.  For that reason, it’s been so important to know my why.  Why am I doing all of this?  My reason is ultimately for my family.  I want to be there for my kids and to be the best version of me that I can be.

When I read the statistic that 1 in 3 people are diagnosed with cancer, it was definitely eye-opening.  It’s crazy to think that almost all of us have had cancer affect us personally, either with a family member or someone we know.  Thankfully there are steps we can take to help reduce the risk of cancer such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthfully, staying active, and getting screened.  Every little bit makes a difference.  My motto this month has been progress not perfection and it’s a great way to know that even if I don’t do everything 100%, I’m still doing better than I did yesterday!

I Start With Fresh Green Juice

juicer | stainless steel straws

Towards the end of last year during the holiday season, I was letting myself indulge in a lot more treats than I was used to.  There were countless get-togethers and always a reason to celebrate.  While it was certainly delicious at the time, I was feeling it everywhere come the new year.  Instead of setting a diet and feeling deprived, I instead focused on adding.  By adding in the good stuff, the bad stuff would naturally get pushed out.

I bought myself a juicer and started adding in a fresh green juice every morning.  It started with just celery juice but I’ve since experimented with adding in a bit of cucumber, kale, and even green apple for a bit of sweetness!  The kids are even hooked on their morning juice (I usually make theirs with about 50% apple / 50% veggies) and have them help with loading the juicer.  They love being part of the process and now wake up asking for their juice — getting the kids involved has actually turned out to be the best way for me to stay consistent with the juicing every morning!

I’m always looking for ways to clean up my diet and maintaining a healthy weight may help reduce cancer risks.  Good health starts with good nutrition.  Drinking water, finding ways to incorporate more greens, and limiting processed foods are definitely at the top of my goals list and how I’m trying to get healthier this year!

filling up on greens

I’m Getting Outdoors

I had to remind myself that getting fit doesn’t necessarily mean going to the gym.  Sometimes, just going outside for a quick jog or taking a mini walk can be a much-needed change of pace.  I used to find every opportunity to get outdoors, but as I’ve grown older and gotten busier, I’ve realized that somehow, I now spend the majority of my time inside.  Recently I’ve started making a more conscious effort to get back to nature, even if it’s taking a mini break at work and getting a breath of fresh air.  I’ve found that it’s oftentimes a much-needed refresher and is the easiest way to clear my head when I need it!

A big cancer prevention tip is also just making sure to move every day and limiting sedentary behavior. The American Cancer Society recommends at least 150 minute a week of moderate or 75 of vigorous or a combo of the two, spread throughout the week.  I’m personally parking a little farther when I’m running errands, taking the stairs whenever I’m going to/from different floors of the office, and making use of my standing desk for longer stretches of time throughout the day.  I actually had no idea that sitting for extended periods of time has been linked to a greater risk like colon, endometrial and lung cancer– so be sure to stand up and take a break every now and then!

I’m Protecting Myself Against UV Rays

In my younger days, I would never leave the house without makeup on, but these days, my time is spent on skincare instead!  UV rays are dangerous and directly lead to many forms of skin cancer, so I make sure to always end my morning skincare regimen with a pump of sunscreen and seek the shade whenever I’m outside!  While I may have a few freckles and sun damage from mistakes made in my early years, I’m proactive about taking the best care of my skin now – and that includes sunscreen!

pin for later!

For more recommendations and tips from the American Cancer Society on how you can get healthier, check out their website.

I’d love to know what lifestyle changes to be healthier you’re making this year and share with me any tips you may have!

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