Making a lifestyle change Deciding to make a change in your life is never easy. Breaking old habits and creating healthy ones can be challenging and even discouraging at times. However, it’s not impossible. Let us help you find a plan that fits your lifestyle needs.
How can I change my unhealthy lifestyle?
Identify the bad or unhealthy habits in your life that you want to change.
- For each habit, come up with a reason for the change and hold yourself accountable for making those changes
- Remove negative triggers
- Believe that you can change
- Know that it will take time and there might be setbacks
What is positive self-talk?
Negative thoughts can do a lot of harm to your self-confidence and impact those around you
- Practice positive thinking instead
- Despite what the evil little voice has to say about your appearance, replace it with a voice that is loving, reassuring, stronger, and most importantly POSITIVE
Before you get started
Check your health: If you are not used to being physically active or you are over the age of 45, consult a doctor before starting an exercise routine
How to eat healthy and lose weight
Eating healthy to lose weight is all about finding nutritious foods you enjoy that you can include in your diet for the rest of your life
- It’s about balance
- The sooner you take the pressure off of losing a bunch of weight in a short amount of time, the sooner you’ll feel less overwhelmed
- Losing weight naturally is not an easy task
Why goal setting is important
Setting healthy goals is one way to come up with a plan to kickstart a new healthy lifestyle
- Goals give you something to work for and keep you motivated to work hard
- They allow you to measure your progress and see how much you have achieved
- Start small and focus on one goal at a time
Exercise to lose weight
Losing weight comes down to being mentally healthy, exercising, and mindful of the foods you are putting in your body.
- Jessica Moosbrugger, OrthoIndy clinical nutrition manager and dietitian, discusses healthy lifestyle changes you can make.
How to Maintain Good Mental Health
Maintaining good mental health means occasionally putting your own needs first
- If you are looking for a healthier lifestyle, start with your mental health and make sure you are finding time to relax and do things you enjoy, rewarding yourself for accomplishments, and spending time with good people who value you
10 Tips for Healthy Eating
Be realistic
- Plan your meals ahead of time
- Cook at home and pack your lunch
- Replace meat with other proteins
- Eat produce that is in season
- Keep a food diary
- Reward yourself
- If you fail don’t punish yourself
Treatment at OrthoIndy
Specialized physicians or physical therapists will give you the best chance possible to achieve your goals after a bone, joint, spine, or muscle injury
More health tips
With the amount of health advice available online, it’s hard to determine where to start when it comes to finding what might work for your lifestyle
- Visit our blog for seasonal tips and advice on how to stay healthy throughout the year
- Are you into weightlifting, yoga, running? We share tips on anything from the best exercises and recovery to what to eat before and after a workout.
What is a positive body image?
One way to practice positive self-talk and make a healthy mental change is to be kind to your body.
- Appreciate everything your body has allowed you to do already in your life
- Think about things you have that you are grateful for
- Be more aware and critical of the negative messages in the media or from negative relationships
- Keep a list of things you like about yourself close by, when you feel overwhelmed with negative thoughts about yourself, read it
- Do something that makes you feel good about yourself
- Learn more about body positivity and how it can impact your life
What is the best exercise for beginners?
Aerobic: Periods of continuous movement such as running or cycling
- Strength: Focuses on muscle power and building strength such as weightlifting
- High-intensity interval training (HIIT): Short bursts of high-intensity exercise followed by low intensity or rest such as boot camps
- Balance or stability: Strengthens muscles while improving body coordination
- Flexibility: Maintains range of motion, prevents injuries and aids in muscle recoveries such as yoga
Quick tips to stay motivated
Track progress
- Attend group workout classes or workout with a friend
- Have fun while working out
- Listen to your body
- Monitor your heart rate to make sure you are in an exercise zone
- If you are having trouble exercising due to a bone, joint, spine or muscle injury our physical therapists can help you become active again
