Today’s blog is a guest post by Certified Health Coach, Megan Quinn. [Enter Megan]
Ladies, what if I told you, you can take the same approach to shrink your waistline, increase your energy and reduce stress, as you did with spicing up last night’s outfit? No need to throw out your entire routine and start from scratch. Let’s take the basics and accessorize!
When it comes to fashion, it’s the small tweaks (a pair of suede pumps, a structured handbag or a bold lip color) that can make all the difference! So, this begs the question, why aren’t we applying this same wisdom when it comes to our health?
Instead, we try to go cold turkey and change everything all at once.
- Want to lose weight? Eliminate carbs forever! (yeah, I tried that too… How did that work for you?).
- Want to get in shape? Go to the gym for 2 hours, everyday (that lasted about 2 weeks, then Netflix and I, well, things got serious).
Through my work, I encourage women to look at improving their health through a whole new lens. One that is fun, accessible, and, surprisingly, simple.
Here are my top 3 tips for accessorizing your life from the inside out:
- Eat breakfast BEFORE your Starbucks run. Coffee can often get a bad wrap and while I do believe it’s important to give your body a break, periodically, from the caffeine roller coaster we’re all on, I think it’s even more in important to be intentional about how we consume. Coffee on an empty stomach disrupts digestion, revs up your adrenals and suppresses your appetite (in the short-term). This will affect your blood sugar and energy throughout the day. It’s important to have breakfast first, preferably with some protein, to ensure you’re keeping your levels stable and to avoid overeating and over caffeinating later.
- Veggie is the new black. Veggies will never go out of style and they work with every meal. Get creative and ditch your preconceived notions about what you “should” eat at mealtime. No #bossbabe ever credited her bagel and cream cheese for taking over the world. Kick off your morning with some quinoa and sauteed veggies, fuel up for afternoon meetings with a hummus & veggie sandwich (extra avocado!) or a turkey & spinach wrap and unwind in the evening with a veggie & goat cheese frittata with a side of turkey bacon. Most importantly, experiment! Change it up and begin to notice food’s effect on your energy levels and your mood.
- Swap your SCROLLING time for some STROLLING time. Ok, I get it. Some days, taking a proper hour lunch just isn’t in the cards, but how about a 20 minute stroll? Still don’t believe you have enough time? I bet if you added up all the web surfing “mental breaks” you take throughout the day to check in on social media or to fill your shopping cart before the Nordstrom anniversary sale ends, you would have more than enough time for a brisk walk to catch up with a girlfriend or listen to a quick podcast while stretching your legs and getting some fresh air. Trust me, your brain and your Fitbit will thank you.
Are you inspired to begin incorporating these tips into your daily routine? Share one step you’ll take this week in the comments below!
And if you’re interested in even more tips to shrink your waistline, increase your energy and reduce stress, join me this fall for my FREE 7-Day SimpleSavvy Challenge: Accessorize Your Life from the Inside Out. Each day, I’ll share a small activity to incorporate into your daily routine to help you feel just as vibrant as your Instagram feed looks (#nofilter required).
Megan Quinn is a certified health coach who is passionate about smart, casual approaches to healthy living. She works with busy, motivated women to help them uncover the food and lifestyle choices that fuel their lives and support their full potential, one simple, savvy step at a time. Visit her at simplesavvyself.com
