Ask the Readers: What Healthy Habits Do You Live By?
Editor's Note: Congratulations to Kristine, Bethany, and Ria for winning this week's contest!
Our health is one of the most important things we can have. Many of us try to eat healthily and exercise regularly, but a healthy lifestyle can be difficult to maintain when there are other very important things going on in our lives — like work, family, and the existence of the cronut.
What healthy habits do you live by? What do you do to make sure you keep up these habits? What other healthy habits do you want to take on in the future?
Tell us about your healthy habits and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!
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Perhaps my healthiest habits are those I don't do, ie, cooking at home vs. eating out and not smoking. I try to eat more veggies and live in fear that the doctor will ban chocolate from my diet.
I always drink a lot of water because if I don't, I get sick.
We try to eat healthily, sleep consistently, and keep stress at a low level. Exercise is still hit or miss, but we do try to stay healthy as a family.
I'm in South Carolina so we are lucky to have mild weather. This time of year, we do a lot outdoors, and that gets us exercise plus cuts down on boredom, snacking, and sedentary habits.
60 y.o. male & healthier than ever! Alternate between walking 8 miles, biking 20 miles, and tennis every other day. Watch diet, stress, & lifestyle choices. Get regular exams for important markers & to head off potential problems. Health is top priority - all else follows having that.
Eat my fruits and veggies
I practice clean eating in combination with regular exercise.
A 15 minute walk or run in the morning before breakfast, followed by a banana with breakfast, ensures that I'll be more concious of what I eat and how much I exercise throughout the day. And it's become a habit, now ... just like brushing my teeth!
Right now, I do yoga, exercise and eat mostly organic foods. In the future I'd love to do something fun and healthy like a spin class or zumba fitness
I workout four days a week and never skip breakfast. Trying to not eat after dinner helps too.
I have a green smoothie for breakfast and lunch everyday.
I eat lots of fruits and veggies daily
I walk as much as I can. I walk the 3.5 miles to work each morning and often home as well. I also do strength training three-four days per week.
I always make sure to walk every day. I usually go twice a day, but minimum once. I also TRY to eat healthy, but slip up sometimes.
We watched a documentary about the poor quality of our food in the 21st century, and about how our grandparents used to spend 10% of their income on quality, healthy food. Now food is cheaper by a long shot (processed food in particular), but the quality is so poor that it is wreaking havoc on our health. Tons of food allergies and chronic illness, also diabetes and cancer to name a few... So, my hubby and I decided that while we may not spend a full 10% of our income on food, spending what we need to for quality is the best investment we could make in terms of our long-term health care. Locally grown/raised organic food that is not genetically modified is a very high priority for us. I have some chronic health issues that can be traced back to the food I ate for most of my life, and also considering that we are self-employed this is a huge consideration!
Get enough sleep! It's always the most important thing for me, it's just hard to do every day. :)
I do yoga once a week, try to stay hydrated, and try to get 8 hours of sleep each night. I'd like to work out more and eat healthier.
My healthy habits include getting regular pap smears, mammograms, etc. all of which my insurance provides. Drink water, avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates, and exercise. Accepting and acting my age and not trying to be a 20 year old makes a difference, too.
drink lots of water
I am trying to develop new healthy habits, starting today the first of October. See if I can continue it thru the month. At lunch, I eat and then the last 30 minutes I spend walking the stairs in the parking garage, and then around the complex. I also try and park at the top of the garage, even though it means my retreat after work takes longer.
I make sure and go straight to the gym on my way home from work. That way I am not tempted to stay sitting on the couch. I also make sure I pack plennty of snacks for work- mostly fresh fruit.
I drink green tea on a daily basis!
I go to bed early and sleep as late as I possibly can without getting in trouble--I learned in college and grad school that missing sleep runs me down and gets me sick in no time.
I drink water, avoid sugar and refined carbs, exercise and keep up with my annual pap smears, mammograms, teeth cleaning, etc.
When ever I get a craving for a soda, I grab a sparkling water instead. It helps me cut down on my sugar and empty calories.
I just try and make the best decision I can at any given time. Sometimes that means my friends want Taco Bell and I choose "Fresca" style. Then there are times when my options include Yoga and homemade hummus!
Say no to carbonated beverages!
I live Paleo, which means I don't eat grains, legumes, sugar, or dairy. I eat meat, lots of veggies, fruit, and some nuts and seeds in moderation. I drink plenty of water. I get 15 minutes of sunshine daily. I sleep 8 hours per night. I work out 5-6 days per week, which includes weight lifting, hiking, biking, and yoga. I work a physical job which enables me to walk several miles per day. I reduce stress wherever possible. I pay all my bills in full and on time. I keep a positive attitude and surround myself with those who enhance my life. I keep up on preventive care, such as regular dental cleanings and well woman visits. I turn off all electronic devices at least an hour before bedtime. I have a cat who makes me laugh and likes to cuddle. I live in a quiet neighborhood where I'm not subjected to loud noise or excessive traffic/pollution. I practice an attitude of gratitude. I make a meal plan each week to ensure I eat whole, healthy meals.
I'm not as good with exercise as I want to be, but I have been better with eating healthy food, and keeping up with monitoring a chronic condition I have so as to not have it become serious.
Maintain a healthy weight; Drink water & tea, avoid sodas; Walk daily for exercise; NO smoking; limited alcohol use; eat healthy - lots of veggies & fruit, nuts, chicken, limited fats & carbs; get enough sleep!
I swapped regular milk for unsweetened almond milk, regular yogurt for greek yogurt, quinoa for white rice, etc. I also exercise at least twice a week and wear a pedometer to try and get as many steps possible. :-)
I try to drink a lot of water, practice meditation and thoughtful breathing and go to yoga at least once a week.
I don't smoke, drink alcohol or do drugs. I try to use natural cleaning supplies and low toxicity level hygiene products. I pray everyday. I still need to work on losing weight, exercising more and eating better, though.
Regular exercise at the gym, eating at home more, eating healthy foods.
I go to the gym after work and eat healthy as I can!!
Eat real, good food. Walk instead of driving whenever possible. Make time to relax and do the things I enjoy most. I would like to exercise more intensively more frequently and make sure I sleep at least 8 hours (I always stay up late reading one more page in this or that book I can't put down!).
Drink a glass of water first thing every morning to get the organs working and to naturally break down acids that cause heartburn.
I have only 1 healthy habit that has kept me going to my age of 65 - moderation in everything.
The healthiest habit I have is pretty simple: vegetarianism! Lots of veggies, whole foods and grains also give me lots of energy and allows me to get a great night sleep (important as well)! A lot of people get caught up in the wrong type of vegetarianism, such as only carbs and dairy, while not getting a fully well rounded diet. I also prefer water to sugary drinks, so that helps keep me healthy too!
I'm a firm believer in frequent hand washing to avoid getting sick! I also drink lots of water, try to eat a good amount of fruit and vegetables, and take a long walk nearly every day. (Having two Jack Russell Terriers helps keep me on track with the walks!) I aim for 7-8 hours of sleep a night, and I try to get my regular checkups and vaccinations.
Never smoked. I ride a stationary bicycle 30 minutes each day, and my wife and I like to walk around the neighborhood after dinner. We also mostly eat home cooked meals. We have also cut back a bunch on red meats. There are lots of good tips in the other comments that we also follow, such as drinking water.
I have recently started teaching yoga, and I love it!
-Exercising.
-Eating vegetables.
-Limiting red meat to no more than 1-2x/month.
-Spending time with positive people! :)
I try to exercise and play sports at least three times a week. I really need to get better about my water intake though!
I walk as often as possible and opt to do shopping and errands on foot. Exercising with a friend also keeps me motivated and ensures that I'll stick to a regular workout schedule. I'm also on the lookout for tasty new ways to prepare the most nutritious veggies, like sweet potatoes and kale.... oven-baked sweet potato fries are my current favorite!
I try to limit red meat to once a week!
My New Year's resolution for 2013 was to develop healthier habits so I walk daily, floss my teeth, eat lots of vegetables and fruits and take fish oil supplements as well as vitamin D.
We eat lots of pumpkin. Vitamin A, potassium, fiber and yummy!
After 10 years of chronic illness left me at 290 lbs, I’m working to reincorporate my old healthy habits. I’m working to end the emotional eating due to depression with help of a support group. I try to prepare more meals ahead to avoid eating out when feeling exhausted. I’m walking more and more every week. I restarted my weight training. I’m also planning some rewards like a visit to the swimming pool at the gym or walking on local hiking trails with new friends. I may not be able to do the entire hike, but I can go a ways and enjoy the views and company.
i try to eat fresh foods everyday and exercise 2-3 times a week
I'm a non-smoker, vegetarian, but I'm not sure I'd call that healthy with all of the snacking I do. The healthiest thing I currently do is to run at least a couple of times a week.
We belong to a csa so get fresh veggies for the whole summer and fall season's.
I walk instead of drive--it add exercise and subtracts spending.
And I workout regularly, even if I can't fit in a whole hour. (Here's my blog post on it: hope it helps other busy folks! http://paintingontheceiling.blogspot.com/2013/09/in-defense-of-10-or-eig... )
I run 4x per week and eat healthy
Taking my own packed lunch to work and making sure to include fruits and veggies so I don't get hungry. This helps me a lot. Try to really limit junk food too many calories and little nutritional value. I am over 50 and those calories can really pack on the weight.
Drink only water. Avoid soda and store bought juice beverages. This helps me maintain calories and lead a healthy life style.
I also eat only one fried item once a week. I don't think I can forgo my "fried" indulgence forever. This is a good alternative that helps me keep fit.
My rule of thumb for a healthy diet is, "If I don't buy it, then I won't eat it." This way I only have to have strong willpower when I shop at the grocery store once per week (which is easy if I just avoid certain aisles), not daily when I go to the cupboard or fridge.
Lots of sleep and lots of water!
I eat more baked foods, less pork and drink more water
I wash my hands frequently!
Trying to get eight hours of sleep. It makes a big difference in terms of energy levels, illness prevention and mood!
I walk at least 10,000 steps per day, am following a paleo lifestyle, and I work with my horses and dogs and take care of a farm by myself every day. Basically i never sit down.
I workout and do yoga and try to eat whole foods.