New Year Diet & Exercise Tips

It’s a new year. Time to think about diet and exercise. Here are a few tips to help get you started…

Stick to a plan with your meals

Virginia Women's HealthWhether you’ll be cooking your next meal or eating out, planning ahead will benefit you. Look up the restaurant ahead of time to check out its menu and see if there’s a wide variety of foods that you’ll feel good about eating. You can also review the nutritional information about each item on the menu to know exactly what it will consist of.

If you’re cooking your meal or meal prepping for the week and want to stay on track, make sure you buy what you want to eat. If your fridge is stocked with healthy meal options, it’ll be much easier to prepare them instead of reaching for the take-out menu.

Match your fitness with your food

Planning ahead also applies to your fitness routine. Make sure you are matching your meals with your fitness schedule to stay consistent with the goals you want to achieve. Be sure to get enough nutrients all week long, but especially on the days you’ll be exercising.

Don’t forget about your veggies

Studies have shown that starting your meal off with a salad can lead to eating less calories overall. Plus, it ensures that you’re getting your vegetables right from the start of the meal. If you’re eating at a restaurant, swap out the standard side for vegetables or salad. When it comes to vegetables, ask for more than the normal serving size.

Stay hydrated

Not only does drinking water during a meal slow you down from eating too much, it will also help you consume fewer calories. In addition, if you’re drinking water throughout the day it helps you stay hydrated and can keep you from feeling hungry when you are actually thirsty.

Keep things interesting

When you’re trying to eat healthier, the last thing you want to do is eat the same thing over and over again to the point where you want to quit your diet altogether. Trying new recipes can prevent you from getting in a rut and will make it much easier to stay on track with your goals.

If you have any questions about your health or you would like to schedule an appointment, please call (703) 435-2555 or request an appointment online.