How To Start A "Health Kick" And Never Stop

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We’ve all heard friends say they’re on a health kick, but health kicks don’t always last long. Maybe you’ve tried out new diets or workout routines that promise long-term results. Nonetheless, it’s easy to end up slipping back into old habits when the road becomes tough. What’s the key to lasting success in terms of healthy living? Well, you have to develop a lifestyle that motivates you. Your health habits have to become second nature. Let’s talk about how to start a “health kick” and never stop.

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Eat healthy food that you actually like.

This might seem like an obvious piece of advice, but so many people think that healthy eating has to be a chore. It’s almost like reverting back to childhood; we all remember tolerating the green vegetables on our plate in the hope that we’d be reward with dessert. However, tastes change, and you might find that you’re denying yourself plenty of delicious foods by shying away from healthier food options. The key is to eat healthy food that you actually like, so it’s time to experiment a little.


You might find that it helps to start making home-cooked meals. This usually makes it easier to eat more healthily because you actually know what you’re putting into each dish (you don’t have to worry about hidden calories). Plus, if you use organic ingredients then you’ll be eating more nutritious foods; whole foods such as fruit, vegetables, and whole grains are all great options. Maybe you could take a dish you love and make it healthier. That might win you over. Perhaps you love lasagna, for instance. Why not make a lentil lasagna? That would be packed full of the protein and nutritional goodness you need, but it’d also be delicious.

Get into a regular exercise pattern.
Do you hate those monthly trips to the gym? Well, that’s no surprise. If you go that infrequently then you’re not going to experience any of the physical benefits you desire, but you’re definitely going to experience all of the mental downsides. If you push yourself too hard without building up your body then you might experience some physical downsides too. Additionally, who says you have to go to the gym? If you hate it then you should look for some other form of physical activity. After all, the only thing that really matters is staying active. Your goal is to keep your body moving on a regular basis, so you need to find a workout routine that allows you to achieve that goal. That’s how you’ll get into a regular exercise pattern.

Maybe you could take up running instead. You could get a treadmill for your living room, or you could go running around your local park if you need to get out and admire the scenery in your area. Or perhaps you need to incorporate some sort of social element into your workout routine. You could go running with a friend, or you could even go to the gym with a friend if that’s what you need in order to enjoy it. You might even want to get this personal trainer app. That would give you access to plenty of workout routines and help ensure you stick to your new fitness regime. Getting into an exercise pattern is all about finding an activity you enjoy and doing it on a regular basis. That’s how it’ll become a habit. That’s how you’ll start a health kick and never stop.


Say goodbye to bad habits.

Adopting good habits is important if you want to start a health kick, but you won’t see the results you want if you cling onto bad habits. Eating a healthy meal that’s packed full of vegetables is good, but going on to eat an entire chocolate cake would still be unhealthy. Obviously, that’s an extreme example. You’re still allowed treats in life. For instance, occasionally eating a slice of cake after a healthy meal is fine. But it’s all about moderation, and some bad habits can easily become excessive. You need to force yourself to confront any damaging unhealthy habits you might have developed.

It’s essential to turn to your support network if you need help. Talk to friends and family members about how you’re feeling. That way, you’ll know you’re not alone in your quest to give up alcohol, cigarettes, junk food, or whatever other substance/lifestyle is damaging your physical and mental wellbeing. You might even want to speak to a specialist if you think a bad habit has become addictive. Remember, it’s okay to open up about how you’re feeling. If you want to adopt a long-term healthy lifestyle then you have to start addressing any problems you might be having. That’s how you can make lasting improvements to your health.

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Ensure you sleep for 8 hours every night.

The recommended amount of sleep can vary a little from adult to adult, but it often falls between 7 and 9 hours. The point is that you need to listen to your body and ensure you’re getting a sufficient amount of sleep. If you’re not resting well then it could be affecting your health on so many levels. It doesn’t just deplete your energy levels; it slows your metabolism (potentially causing weight gain or slowing weight loss if you’re trying to eat healthily/exercise), and it even weakens your immune system. Obviously, it can worsen your mental health too - we’ve all felt a little grouchy after a bad night’s sleep, but depriving yourself of rest can even exacerbate feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression.


Still, it’s hard to stick to a good sleeping pattern. One late night can undo all of your hard work. How do you start a healthier sleeping pattern and never stop? Well, the key is to take a look at your bedtime routine. Perhaps you stimulate your brain by looking at your phone screen immediately before sleeping. Perhaps you eat or drink too much before getting into bed. You should be aiming to unwind in the hour just before sleeping. Avoid eating, looking at screens, and stimulating your body or mind in any way. Allow yourself to relax so you can fall asleep more easily. You might want to read a book or something. Perhaps you could simply talk to your loved one whilst you drift off (as long as the conversation doesn’t wake you up too much).