Each week in 2012 I am going to focus on making one healthy change at a time. Baby steps. The first week I committed to eating breakfast every day. I have made it a point to eat breakfast upon waking (not a few hours later). Since adding this new routine to my morning, I have found that I have more energy and am in a better mood.
Last week I focused on hydration. I love drinking water and during the warmer months I have no problem drinking up. However, when the weather is cooler I find that I tend to slack off.
Water is the driving force of all nature. ~ Leonardo da Vinci
Did you know that roughly 60-70% of your body weight is water. Water is essential for your body to function properly. Water helps carry nutrients to your cells and aids in digestion. Proper hydration flushes {gross germs that your 6 year old brings home from kindergarten} toxins from your system, keeps blood clean and skin soft. It provides moisture for your ear, nose and throat tissues and lubricates joints and cushions vital organs. Water is NEEDED for our bodies to function and survive.
This past week I focused on making sure I met my hydration needs for the day. I used the hydration calculator to determine my hydration needs based on my lifestyle, weight, and activity level. What works for me is to carry a large plastic bottle (20-32oz) and fill it with water. I sip on it throughout my day and refill as needed (to reach my goal of 80+ounces).
I continued with my new healthy change of eating breakfast upon waking (my go to breakfast is 1/2 a whole wheat bagel with peanut butter, 1/2 banana with a few drops of agave sweetener). I will continue to drink my water and meet my hydration needs.
This coming week I am adding a new healthy challenge:
Take My Multivitamin
This busy mom to three boys tends to forget taking her vitamins, which could attribute to me being sick and having trouble kicking this nasty cough/chest infection. Adding this small healthy change (taking my vitamins) will also help remind me to give my boys their Flintstone vitamin for the day.
Jessica says
Wonderful goals!! Sounds like I have a lot of your same problems regarding breakfast, water, & vitamins. The idea of tackling one each week is a great one!
Tara Burner says
good for you 🙂
you should do the #justdoitjanuary challenge…it incorporates breakfast/water/fruit&veggies/exercise/staying positive
I do not currently take vitamins…looking into changing that though
feener says
i can tell now when i have not had enough water through out the day. i also like to try and have lemon in my water and have that on hand through out the day. http://www.lifemojo.com/lifestyle/top-10-health-benefits-of-lemon-water-1422542
i take a vitamin strip every day….i use shaklee’s vitalizer, if you research vitamin brands you will see that shaklee has tons of clinical research done on their products, they are all natural …
@PamelaMKramer - A Renaissance Woman says
Keep talking about this ladies! I’m HORRIBLE at keeping up with water intake.
Heather @ Not a DIY Life says
I’m the same way with water. Usually so good about it except in cold weather! I do take a multi-vitamin, but am not loyal to any brand. I’ve been trying to do better about taking those every day too. Keep up the good work, girl!
Janice- The Fitness Cheerleader says
I like this Rachel – by the end of the year you’ll have 52 new GOOD habits! Great idea!
Rachel says
Thank you. I am piggy backing off your 31 Day’s to a Healthier You Challenge and also using the book 52 Small Changes: One Year to a Happier Healthier You. BOTH fantastic resources to pick on an area where I am lacking to have a healthy and happy LIFE (starting in 2012) 🙂
lorrie says
thanks for sharing this information, im trying to get my water intake up but sometimes the day just goes right by and my water intake is low