So often when we’re trying to improve our health or lose weight and don’t get results, we think we just need to double down our efforts. Instead of blaming our effort, thinking if we just tried harder then it would work, I propose that we try to change it up. After all, variety is the spice of life! The same holds true for our health in what we eat and how we move our bodies. Here’s why it’s important to change our routine:
1. The greater the variety of the foods we eat, the greater the variety of nutrients we give our bodies. Are you stuck in a rut, eating the same breakfast each day or the same salad at lunch? Do you alternate between a few different dinner ideas? Add new recipes or meal ideas into your diet! When we eat different foods, our bodies take in different types and amounts of key nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, cancer-fighting compounds.
2. Novelty keeps us motivated. When it comes to lifestyle changes for improved health, maintaining motivation and preventing burnout are key. By keeping a fresh approach with new recipes and workouts, you’ll be less likely to get into a rut. Are you sick and tired of eating the same baked chicken with broccoli and brown rice? Can’t stand the thought of yet another elliptical workout? When you’re tired of your routine, there’s a good chance you’ll throw in the towel and fall off the wagon. Change up your routine and you’ll be more likely to stick with your eating and exercise goals.
3. Our bodies adjust to movement. When it comes to fitness, variety is important in avoiding a fitness plateau. Our bodies acclimate to whatever exercise stresses we introduce. This means that over time, the same exercise, intensity, frequency or volume no longer tax our bodies the same way they did initially. Remember when you first started swimming and 10 laps felt like a marathon? Or muscle soreness after your first Les Mills BODYPUMP class? Probably not so much anymore. Expose your body to a variety of different exercise stimuli – start a strength training regimen if you haven’t already or if you already strength train, add on more weight, extra reps, or different exercises; make high intensity interval training a part of your weekly workouts; or introduce yoga. This way, your body will be increasingly challenged, making you increasingly fitter over time.
What changes do you feel you could make to spice up your nutrition and fitness? What are some ways in which you feel stuck?
Did You Know? We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts, United HealthCare and Cigna insurances! Contact one of our dietitians at nutrition@waverleyoaks.com or 781.786.6079