Does your health status bother you? Do you get nightmares of falling prey to health issues or diseases? Are you looking forward to a healthy life? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you should certainly make a progressive move TODAY towards a healthy lifestyle. Staying healthy takes nothing but some dedication and determination. And guess what, if you are already at least mentally dedicated towards that goal, you’re already halfway there.

Most people are often confused when it comes to making lifestyle changes, preparing diet plans or exercise routines. But today, will all that health information out there, most of us are, or can be, well-informed on how to achieve health goals making the journey less overwhelming. Small & gradual steps make winning possibilities higher.

Five Tips To Help Achieve Your Health Goals

Here are 5 tips to help you achieve your health goals,

• Maintain a food journal:

This can be one of the most intimidating tasks for someone who isn’t a scheduled person. But once you start maintaining a record and keep a check on what kind of diet you are intaking and its corresponding effects on physical body changes (change in energy levels, weight, BMI, muscle gain and so on), it becomes a habit in no time. A systematic record not only helps understand what kind of food elevates or drains your body but also helps avoid cheat days, keeping the motivation high. Moreover, the right mix of Proteins, Carbohydrates, Fibre, Vitamins & Minerals is essential in any diet regime and thus it’s always good to track your daily intake of these. Today a number of health apps are also available for tracking the same.

• Educate Yourself About Healthy Substitutes

No one is asking you to give up on all the unhealthy habits overnight but knowing easy healthy substitutes goes a long way.

To start with replace vegetable oil with a healthier one (maybe coconut or soya bean oil) and then gradually shift to a no-oil diet (It’s really not that tough). Amongst other common food habits – Replace soda-infused drinks with natural ones like lemonade or fresh fruit-based ones, replace flour (maida) with whole wheat, replace white sugar with jaggery, replace fried snacks with grilled ones, replace fruit juices with whole fruits and replace packaged foods with fresh options.

Take your time to switch to these easy substitutes and do not be harsh on yourself. Only if you understand and enjoy the journey and its transformation will you be able to continue it for a lifetime.

• Exercise Daily

Everyone knows that exercising is very beneficial for one’s health and yet most of us run away from it. Just like taking a bath is a part of your daily routine, exercising should be too. Its benefits may not seem quantifiable at that moment but the repercussions of not exercising from the youngest age possible can be detrimental in the long run.  Remember whatever you are prioritising over a healthy life (e.g. work, family time, socialising, watching Netflix or the like) will all fall in vain if you are sick.

If stepping out to exercise seems tough simply adopt some basic exercise regimes at home – walking, yoga, aerobics or running. Moreover, there are plenty of online channels that teach home workouts. The bottom line is don’t wait for any ‘right’ moment when it comes to your health – start today!!

• Set Goals That Are Achievable

We all want to make plans that work super-fast or are highly ambitious. While streaming online we often search for links that read similar to “how to lose fat in 10 days”, “how to get rid of tummy flab in 1 week” and so on. Remember changes take time and require patience. The ones that promise changes in a short duration are equally short-lived and may probably have a worse effect on your body in the future.

The ‘One size fits all’ concept does not work in real life. Only you know the goals that can be realistically achieved by you. Start with easier goals and once you start seeing visible changes you’ll automatically get motivated for bigger targets.

• Find A Companion With a Similar Goal

Health & Fitness targets are always more doable and fun if you have company to share the journey with. A partner, instructor or friend to motivate you in times when you are at the edge of giving up always helps to push you beyond your comfort zone.

Achieving a healthy lifestyle doesn’t often seem like an easy task. At every step of life, we fall prey to things that are unhealthy. But once you are dedicated and understand the true importance of good health, there is no looking back.