8 Rules All Happy and Healthy People Live By

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Have you ever had a REALLY great day, week, or maybe even month when you were on top of your health and fitness goals? You ate all the right foods, didn’t miss a yoga class, got your sweat on, and simply felt like your BEST self.

If you’ve ever witnessed this “health high,” you probably know just how exhilarating it can be. You probably also know how challenging it can be to maintain a healthy, fit lifestyle for a long period of time.

Here are 8 things all happy and healthy people do to maintain there on top of the world lifestyle:

1. They set your long-term intentions

In order to create a happier and healthier lifestyle, you first need to decide what that means to you specifically. No matter the meaning, the solution is as simple as creating your intention and focusing on the aspects of your life you want to improve.

Choose your intention, memorize it, and keep it in the back of your mind. In setting this intention, achieving your personal best and realizing your long-term goals will come naturally and more effortlessly.

2. They start small

Completely removing certain foods, drinks, bad habits, etc. can be very challenging. Doable, but challenging. Odds are, if you try to quit these habits cold turkey, you’ll wind up feeling deprived and frustrated, which will usually leads to giving in and a resulting feeling of failure.

Instead, start with small adjustments you KNOW you can maintain. For example, replace 30 minutes of television each day with an act of self-love (like taking a bath, reading, going for a walk). By starting small, you’ll avoid feeling overwhelmed, and will be proud of yourself for sticking to it. Remember – all of these small adjustments add up!

3. They fuel their body properly

Instead of focusing on yo-yo diets and meal plans with specific ending dates, or low calorie, low fat, etc. food choices, focus instead on choosing nutrient-dense foods such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and complete proteins. Eating these foods will nourish your body, fuel you with energy, and provide bountiful vitamins and minerals. Plus, you will feel incredible!

The quality of your food directly relates to how you feel. Use this as your motivator! The ultimate goal is to find nutritious foods you enjoy eating so that you will be able to sustain this healthy diet for the long-run.

4. They listen to their body

The purpose of listening to your body is learning to recognize the signs that is gives you, and then honoring what it’s telling you. For example, if you’re feeling hungry between lunch and dinner, honor this hunger cue. Have a nutritious snack such a fruit, nuts, vegetables, etc. and see how you feel.

Listen to your body when it comes to exercise and rest. If you start your workout feeling mentally sluggish, bored, and unmotivated, you’re most likely to feel the same way physically. Instead, listen to what your mind and body are telling you and try switching it up. Body can’t handle running today? Try going for a calming walk in nature, a fun bicycle ride, or to a yoga class instead!

5. They find physical activities they enjoy

This one is as simple as it sounds. If you’re planning on sustaining your fitness regimen for the long run, it’s extremely important to find activities that motivate and excite you. Instead of getting stuck doing the same daily routine, get out there and try new activities, enroll in different yoga/fitness classes, or simply get outside and move!

There are hundreds of fun activities that will not only be enjoyable, but will also burn calories and have you feeling great! The more you stay active – and diversify your activities – the more energy, motivation, and inspiration you’ll have in your daily life.

6. They recognize their weaknesses

. . . and turn them into strengths! Everyone has weaknesses – they’re what make us human. Instead of beating yourself up over yours, learn to harness these so-called ‘weaknesses’ and turn them into strengths that serve and empower you.

Recognizing your specific weaknesses is a huge accomplishment in itself, so once you recognize it, flip the script! For example, if your “weakness” is constantly craving refined sugar, channel this weakness to make sure you’re getting your recommended daily serving of fruit. By replacing your sugar cravings with something healthy, you just turned a negative into a healthy positive!

Business tip: If you have a weakness when it comes to business, don’t fight it – embrace it and move on. If accounting isn’t your thing, find someone who is great at it and move your focus to what you thrive in. Switching your focus to a strength will allow you to be more productive and result in you being able to afford that accountant. 🙂

7. They talk about it AND be about it

Most often the saying goes, “Don’t talk about it, be about it.” But when it comes to reaching your happy, health, and wellness goals, BOTH can be equally important. Talk to people about what you’re doing, your goals and how they excite you, and also follow through by doing it.

Talking about these aspirations and intentions will help hold you accountable, and also make you feel like your goals are within reach. Nobody wants to announce to the world, “I’m going to start eating better this week!” only to never follow through. If you say you’re going to do something that will get your closer to your goals – honor it, do what you promised you would, and make yourself proud by following through!

8. They don’t sweat the small stuff

Welcome to the most simple, yet equally important step to sustaining your most happy and healthy self – don’t sweat the small stuff. Missed a workout? Didn’t get enough accomplished today? Don’t worry – you did your best, and there’s always tomorrow.

While it’s important to keep yourself on track, you also need to remember that you’re only human and things won’t work out perfectly 100% of the time. When you do your best, you’re able to accept when things just don’t work out. By not sweating the small stuff, you’re able to stay motivated and pick yourself up when you get off course.

The whole purpose of being your best, most happy, and healthy self is for you to feel amazing about life, your accomplishments, and yourself. So please don’t ever ruin your bliss because something doesn’t go according to plan.

Most importantly, don’t ever let living a healthy lifestyle keep you from actually LIVING your life. Life is too short to spend not doing the things that make you happy to be alive. ☺