7 Healthy Habits in 2019 — Lilit Caradanian

Creating healthy habits is something we should be working on all year long. I wrote up this blog post last NYE and am bringing back here to my new blog. I have personally adapted all the habits below throughout the year and they have made a tremendous impact in my life. It seems simple; yet a lot. Start with one habit at a time and see where it takes you. One habit will inspire you to do the next. If there are any habits you believe are essential that I’ve missed, please share! Would love to hear from you.

1. Exercise

Of course this had to be number one! I am signing up to a gym once again because I haven't worked out since before Kat was born. I had a trainer and worked out 3 times a week for 2 years before she was born and I never looked or felt better! If you feel you will have a hard time committing, get a trainer - I promise its the best thing you can do! Even on my laziest days, I would run to the gym because I know my trainer would be waiting of me. Eventually, it became a habit. Once you see results, you will not want to quit! I am not just talking about your body; having a beautiful body is a plus but you need to work out for your health & mental well being!

2. Eat Clean

I know this is easier said than done. Truth is, unless everyone around you is doing it, its hard for you to stay on track! Lucky for me, Kat eats super healthy and my husband is just as ambitious as I am. It all starts from what you have in your home. They say to never go to the market hungry, I say you should! Go get everything you would need in your house for a week or two so that you always have something to make and munch on! We start ordering out and eating crappy foods when we start to run low on home goods. Buy some healthy crackers/chips for when you want some salty snacks, get your quinoa and lentil pasta (instead of regular pasta) for when you want the carbs, get chicken breasts and ground turkey and keep them in your freezer, and of course all your fruits and veggies. I will do another blog post with a food breakdown. Have enough in your home, take it to your work, add snacks to your purse...you won't even think about eating junk!

3. Hydrate

I know this one is a boring one, but it is such a easy habit to make! Why do we have such a hard time doing it? For me, I forget to drink water. The only way I remember to drink water is if I have a big bottle with me all day that I know I need to finish drinking. If you hate the taste of water, add some flavoring in there, such as cucumber, lemon, strawberry or mint - pick your flavor! I noticed I also drink less water when I drink more coffee. I usually have 2-3 cups of coffee a day. I haven't had coffee now for FIVE days! Can you believe it? When I got sick, the smell or even the sight of coffee was making my nauseous. I'm sure I won't reject coffee forever, but definitely replacing my coffee cups with water throughout the day.

4. Sleep

This one is a huge one for me. 2017 was definitely sleepless, from Kats nighttime cries to working late on my computer till wee hours in the night. Luckily, I trained Kat back to her regular sleeping schedule real quick and have learned to sleep early. My mind and my body taught me that with good sleep, I will have more energy all day instead of running on low battery. I also stopped watching tv series that prevent you from sleeping at nights! Funny that we have to make "sleep" a habit, but I know I am not the only one!

5. Read

This one is a huge one for me. 2017 was definitely sleepless, from Kats nighttime cries to working late on my computer till wee hours in the night. Luckily, I trained Kat back to her regular sleeping schedule real quick and have learned to sleep early. My mind and my body taught me that with good sleep, I will have more energy all day instead of running on low battery. I also stopped watching tv series that prevent you from sleeping at nights! Funny that we have to make "sleep" a habit, but I know I am not the only one!

6. To-Do List

We all have this, in our heads. Start writing things down! Every night, write your list of things to do the next day. Making a to-do list helps keep you focused and organized. No matter what is going on our day, no matter how distracted you are, make sure you get to your list. You will feel better every time you cross an item off! If you can, get a weekly & monthly to-do list going as well. This can be little goals that you can add that will help you reach an ultimate goal. Visually seeing what you want will be a constant reminder.

7. Phone & TV

Now I really sound like a mom! But really, turn off the TV, put down your phone and pay attention! Pay attention to your husband, your child, your friends and the conversations. I absolutely hate being on my phone when I am hanging out with friends/family, unless I absolutely have to! Phones distract us way too much and hardly ever in a good way. Even television! I allow myself to watch a series every now & then and its usually when my baby is sleeping and my husband isn't home. We can be doing so many more productive things if we just limit the electronics. Even my 20 month old is obsessed and constantly wants to watch her cartoons! What has this world come to? I now only let her watch a little bit in the morning or when I am trying to feed her and that is it!