What Can You Do in 10 Minutes to Make Your Life Healthier? #Just10

---

 

I first started trying to make healthier choices when I was 15. I almost made it to goal too. Ups and downs and rollercoaster rides,  I have made some good decisions and bad decisions. Twenty-five years later, I happy to say that I am back on track after giving birth to 3 girls over the last 12 years.

As an adult, I want to be healthier for my children. I need to be a good role model for them. If I am not eating the right things, they will not be eating the right things. More importantly, I am reminded of how it felt as a teenager to be overweight. What a time of confusion in anyone’s life! I wanted to learn how to make better choices and feel good about myself.

Twenty-five years later, I have learned a lot. Sometimes, I do not follow my own advice. As of mom of three girls, I want to continue on my journey and make foods for them that are healthier and enjoyable too.

Being healthy is not just about weight.  It is an overall picture and attitude.

Here are some ways that you can make healthy choices in 10 minutes or less:

1. Laugh – that’s right, laugh.  Take time to enjoy your family and all the little special moments.

2. Walk – Keep on walking.  Even if you do not have a lot of time, walk, walk walk.  Keep that body moving.

3. Slow and steady wins the race.  Drastic changes can be unrealistic.  By taking small steps, you are able to make lifelong changes.

4. Get in there and kick the ball around.  Make exercise a part of your children’s life and yours.  Join them in a game and show them that you are being active too.

5. Stop and smell the flowers.  Take a few minutes to reflect and take a deep breath.  Each day can be filled with ovewhelming moments.  Appreciate the small moments.

6. Encourage a variety of activities.  By supporting my daughter with learning how to in-line skate, I have dusted off my own skates and joined her.

7. Dance Party!  – I love to dance. Put on some music and turn your living room into a dance party!

8. Get in the pool and swim. Swimming is a great exercise and lifelong skill.  My girls have been swimming and I think this Mama Bear should be getting in more often too.

9. Water water water!  Start to increase your water intake each day.  I always find that I feel better when I drink more water.

10.  Make simple changes to your recipes.  Did you know there are a variety of ways to make recipes healthier?

A. Applesauce – Adding this simple ingredient to cakes, brownies, and my personal favorite, pancakes instead of oil really makes a difference in calories and flavor. I don’t know if this is correct but I tend to add a little extra to make it as moist as possible.

B. Yogurt – I didn’t know you could add yogurt to recipes too. Once again, goes very well in pancakes. Now, if you buy the plain yogurt, you can even mix with onion soup mix instead of sour cream to make a healthier dip.

C. Pumpkin – Don’t just use this to make your favorite pumpkin pie. Instead add into your favorite brownie mix to create deliciously healthy snacks. The only issue is that you have to remember you added fiber to your dessert. Too many brownies might be an issue later on.

D. Add more veggies to your sauce. I like to finely chop carrots and celery as an addition to my sauce. They add flavor and fiber. Kids usually do not detect the extra veggies either.

E. Use 1% or nonfat milk when recipes call for whole milk. This simple step can eliminate many calories from your recipes.

Walmart is hosting America’s Biggest Health Fair on October 10, 2015, to promote healthy lifestyles! #Just10 is the idea that just 10 minutes can make your life healthier. Instead of trying to tackle health goals that require a lot of time, effort and will power – focus on what you can do in just 10 minutes to get you started. Walmart wants to help you make your life healthier, in just 10 minutes.