Get Healthy

Today is the Get Healthy Bloghop hosted by Stephen Tremp, Alex J. Cavanaugh, L. Diane Wolfe & Michael Di Gesu.

The Objective:
Share with everyone something you have done that affected your health in a positive way. 

I don't think anyone's going to be calling upon me to write a health manual anytime soon, but I do have a couple things to share for this blogfest - simple things I do to keep a stint on Survivor from being totally out of the question should I ever get the call from Mark Burnett. 

Thing #1: Substitute: I like to eat. Sometimes I like to eat a lot. I've found that simple substitutions of healthy foods for certain unhealthy ones - most of the time - allow me to keep on eating while still feeling good. I first gave up french fries when I was pregnant and wanted to make sure the weight I gained was good weight, and I'm still perfectly happy subbing with fruit, coleslaw, or a small salad on the side of my tasty burger. Instead of chips, I use sliced cucumbers, and instead of dip, I'll usually have hummus or salsa. Whole grain bread instead of enriched, couscous instead of white rice, sweet potatoes instead of white, water instead of soda, you get the picture. Still looking for a decent substitute for red wine though...

Thing #2: Keep it doable: the most important thing about an exercise program is to keep it up, so don't over-commit yourself to an unsustainable exercise routine that will fall by the wayside once you've hit your goal weight, or worse, before you do. It's better to do shorter workouts that you'll be able to reasonably maintain going forward. I rarely let a workout go on for more than thirty minutes, but you know what? I've kept up an exercise habit of 4-6 days a week since I was seventeen years old. I know myself, and these days with being pulled in so many directions, if I knew I had to give up an hour to a workout, I'd be skipping them more often than doing them.

I'm looking forward to gaining more totally do-able tips when I visit the others on the hop. Click here for a list of participating bloggers, and thanks for hosting, Stephen, Alex, L. Diane & Michael!

And hey, if you're going to be near Twitter this Friday evening at 7pm EST, look up #Omnilicious to find me & a bunch of my Omnific Pub sisters - we're going to be talking all kinds of smack & giving out prizes.


Comments

Unknown said…
I do pretty much the same thing, it easy to swap unhealthy for healthy and just not eat too much most of the time. Simple really.
I exercise several times a week and it makes a huge difference. Start small and build up.
Thanks for participating in our bloghop.
Fida Islaih said…
Thanks for the tips!
I try to choose salad over chips in restaurants but sometimes my head overrides my mouth. On the whole though, if you make substitutions most of the time, you can have a treat or two too.
Swapping unhealthy for healthy works for me (most of the time). I also think making it doable works!

Omnilicious sounds like fun!
Suzanne said…
Doable is definitely essential, I think if you set your aims to high to start with you often fail and become defeated.
Suzanne @ Suzannes Tribe
Unknown said…
I think that doable tip is key-- we need to find something we can and will stick with. I've got the workout piece down fairly consistently. I need to find a peace with the food part now.
You couldn't pay me to go on Survivor. :)

You're right about those substitutions - hummus and salsa are great in place of fatty, salty dips. And I can't remember the last time I had something other than multi grain bread.
Cherie Colyer said…
Great advice! Since hitting my forties, I try to make healthy substitutions, too. And I'm impressed that you've kept up such a good exercise routine for so long!
Anonymous said…
Great tips! There have been lots of wonderful tips at all the blogs I've stopped by so far.

Michael Di Gesu said…
Excellent tips, Nicki...

Substituting good foods for bad choices is the key. You still get to enjoy your food without feeling deprived.

AND OH, wasn't that banana delight last week THE MOST! I posted about bananas today, SO we won't feel guilty if we have it again! Um... the gelato and syrup was sugar free.... right? LOL.

Thanks for joining the HOP!!!!
SK Anthony said…
Fantastic tips!

I substitute all the time also. On the exercise front, I went from an obsessive every day work out to 4-5 days, otherwise I have no time to enjoy life. A balance is always good but having a routine that keeps me going has been the key for me.
Johanna Garth said…
Couldn't agree more about the exercise. If you weekend warrior it then you often get hurt or can't bear the thought of another day at the gym.
Morgan said…
Great post! Spot on. I'm seriously loving reading all of these health tips today! :D
Susan Oloier said…
Doable exercise (that I enjoy) is the key for me, too. My husband wanted to try the Insanity workout. For now, that's where I draw the line :-)
D.G. Hudson said…
Yes we should be in the exercise mode for the long term. I always try to walk up stairs and I walk for half an hour minimum every day. My workouts are full body weight training for 30-45 mins.

Walking is the best way to get into wanting to stay fit. (Or running if you prefer that.)
~Sia McKye~ said…
Hey now. Red wine (in moderation) is good for digestion. lol!

I still like a good french fry now and then. I usually grab four or five from my son when he orders burger and fries. While I enjoy a Coke now and then, I probably zero to one a month. I much prefer water. I grew up with a family that served water every meal. Old habits. :-)

I love to make a plate of sliced veggies and fruit (I love the fact that there have been lots of strawberries lately) with a bit of cheese to snack on.

Sia McKye OVER COFFEE
Carrie-Anne said…
I still remember when I gave up Cheez Whiz cold turkey. My mother scared me off of it by holding it up with a spoon in the bottle, and said this is what it does when it's in your stomach. I never touched it since, and avoid overly processed, fattening dips.
Tara Tyler said…
i cant even commit to my flossing regimen!
but i hope to dedicate a specific doable regular exercise time this summer! schools almost out!
Mark Means said…
Great tips and, best of all, they're easy to do...all the better! :)
Jennifer Lane said…
Good substitute for red wine? The only thing that comes to mind is vodka. ;-)

Great tip to keep an exercise routine doable. So many people cram the gym for the New Year then slowly fade away...
Suzanne Furness said…
Great tips, I think finding healthier substitutes is an excellent idea!
Anonymous said…
What great and simple tips. I could find better substitutes and happy I can find food i like at every calorie value. Now if I could pick the ones lower on the scale more often, I would be good.
Great tips Nicki.
And the doability factor is important. It's gotta be realistic and practical.

Writer In Transit
great tips! Love them :)
loverofwords said…
And, I bet you have never had a weight problem because you exercise consistently. And are thoughtful about what you eat :)
Anonymous said…
Substitute and keep it doable. I really like these tips.
Nas said…
Sound advice and tips. Thanks.

Nas
I've got the exercise thing down pat, but I'm still working on limiting junk food. I'm not doing a very good job of it, seeing as how I just ate half a Snickers bar.
Rhonda Albom said…
Keeping it doable is such an important tip. Thanks.

Visiting today from the blogfest
Rhonda @Laugh-Quotes.com
Ruth said…
Subbing is great. I use quinoa a lot instead of rice or pasta.

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