In general, Americans make some less than great health choices. According to a 2016 study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, less than 3% of us meet the basic qualifications for a “healthy lifestyle.” So we can do a lot better. And Dr. Amy Lee says correcting some of these bad habits we have can help us lead happier, healthier lives.
Forgetting about your toothbrush - Dessert and late-night snacking can add tons of calories to your day, but Dr. Lee suggests brushing your teeth after dinner to help you avoid eating later. She says you’ll be motivated to keep your mouth clean afterwards and that minty toothpaste “overpowers your palate” and makes dessert less appealing.
Focusing on what you shouldn’t do - Forget about that doughnut you’re craving and think about eating something healthy instead to help you avoid temptation, Lee says.
Scheduling too much time to workout - The idea is that the more time you give yourself to do something, the bigger the task gets, according to Lee. So if you only give yourself 15 minutes to focus on exercise, you can focus and get it done instead of wandering around the gym for an hour getting less done.
Eating snacks too quickly - Calorie-dense snacks like granola bars, protein bars, and crackers are easy to eat too much of in a hurry. So find snacks that take more time to get through, like whole oranges, and pistachios and walnuts in the shell. They’ll slow you down so you’ll eat less and take in fewer calories.
Making New Year’s resolutions - Lee says because so few of us actually stick to New Year’s goals, we’re better off with short-term goals. She likes making new month’s resolutions that focus on one easy health habit, like walking the dog for 10 minutes a day.
Source: Byrdie