Last month I published an article called “Leap Into the New Year with 12 Simple Steps to Fitness.” If you missed it, make sure you check it out so you know exactly how this little 12-Step program has been designed.
Step 1 officially began in January, but no worries if you want to hop on board now–all you have to do is read about the first step to fitness and add step one to February’s “Step 2.” No big deal, just start with two steps instead of one.
When you CLICK HERE, you’ll find the page titled “12 Steps to Fitness” and just scroll until you see “Step 2 / February.” Step 2 is also listed directly below!
Good luck and happy stepping!
If you have any questions on weight loss, nutrition, exercise, etc., now is a GREAT time to ask! Please utilize the comment section below, the CONTACT US page for more private info (it’s just a direct way to contact me via email), or you could go into our “We Figure” forum and post a question and get some good conversation started. I’ve learned some of my best tips and have gotten excellent advice in forums, so PLEASE utilize this feature–it’s designed just for YOU!
What’s holding you back? Let’s get started!
February: STEP 2: Add One Healthy Item to Your Diet
Step 2 is easy and it’s fun. All you have to do is continue January’s Step 1, and now add something healthy to your diet. I’m horrible at drinking enough water each day, so I challenge myself to this ALL THE TIME. How about you? Can you add another glass of water to your diet? Current studies show that you should drink what would equal 2/3 of your body weight (in ounces) each day. So if you weigh 200 pounds, you’ll aim for about 125 ounces of water a day–roughly a gallon. (I totally estimated that, I’m HORRIBLE at math.) Most serious bodybuilders and competitive athletes aim for this gallon goal no matter what. Water not only helps keep you feeling full throughout the day but it improves everything: skin, hair, digestion, brain function, muscle development, athletic performance, etc.
What about a healthy food item? Again, I think it’s a struggle to always reach the appropriate servings of vegetables every day, so why not add a couple servings here and there? With veggies being sold in single serving packs or steamable bags, it’s so easy to eat your veggies these days. And don’t think that your veggies always have to be fresh; frozen veggies actually hold more nutrients because they’re flash frozen immediately. The longer a vegetable or fruit sits out, more and more nutrients are becoming depleted. Flash frozen veggies and fruits will actually hold a bit more vitamins and minerals! My faves are Nature’s Promise steamable organic bags–I usually get spinach, asparagus, and broccoli–even though broccoli doesn’t always agree with me. :/ My other go-to’s are cauliflower and brussel sprouts. Love them! And by the way, I eat the whole bag–every time. What better way to fill up on low calories, high fiber, and higher nutrient value? One bag is usually 4-5 servings. If you ate just two bags of frozen veggies each day, you’d have ALL your required servings! Lunch and dinner–done!
Another simple thing you could do is make a “healthier” food switch. Love bacon? Have you ever tried bacon from an organic farm with no nitrates, antibiotics, or growth hormones found in the meat? It’s AMAZING. I switched over recently and it’s a Sunday staple in my house. You can do the same thing with beef and chicken too! How about some organic veggies? I know, the hype is that there really isn’t that much of a difference, but with some veggies and fruits, there is a big one. Anything “leafy” or considered a “berry” is at higher risk for pesticide contamination. Maybe switch those purchases to organic. Anything that you peel, I would say stick to the regular produce if you’re on a budget. Even though organic still has a better taste (in my opinion), I know we aren’t all made of money–especially me!
And maybe you’re not ready for a huge switch such as finding different meats or trying free-range eggs–that’s ok! Are you eating a sugary cereal? Switch to something with more whole grains and less sugar. I try to choose foods–no matter what kind–that have 4-6 grams of sugar or less. I’m sure you can find a simple substitution for almost all of your “unhealthy” food fixes.
What about that fish oil you’re dying to try? Glucosamine? Supergreens supplement? Whey protein powder for protein packed smoothies? Now would be a great time to experiment with supplements. I try to take fish oil, glucosamine, a multivitamin, whey, and greens powders every day to stay as fit as possible. True, I forget more often than not, but it’s just another one of my goals. Unfamiliar with supplements? Visit our STORE to read up on my most trusted and recommended items. If you have specific questions about any, please ask in the comments section below, our forum–for real good discussion–or contact me for more private issues.
Step 2 should be fun, simple, and 100% good for you. Whether you choose to add more veggies, drink more water, add a fiber supplement, make a food switch, take a multivitamin, the possibilities are endless. I’ve only listed my top suggestions but I know there are more ideas. LET US KNOW what you think we can add to the list! Comment below!
which local grocery stores carry the Nature’s Promise steamable bags?
Hey Anna! I find them at Martin’s…they have them in the regular frozen veggie section and also in the organic frozen veggie section. My fave is the spinach…no other frozen spinach is quite the same. The broccoli is great too…everything just seems fresher. And many times the bags are on sale $2/4 so that’s pretty comparable to non-organic. Plus I think these bags are bigger. Let me know which ones you end up liking best!