What can help you to make lifestyle changes successfully?

STRATEGY: SMALL STEPS

Changing to a healthy lifestyle will take some time, practice and effort. But the benefits are worth it. And everyone who puts in serious effort will see the benefits. Begin small. If you aren’t used to exercising regularly, try a 10 minute walk after lunch or dinner. Gradually, with practice, you’ll be able to increase it to 15 and then 20. But take one step forward. What health change would you like to see first? What could you do this week that will help get you there? If you’d like to talk to your New Start teachers on how you might take that first step, just let us know. We’re here to help and encourage you on your health walk!

STRATEGY: FOOD AND COOKING EDUCATION

Most of us decide what we want to eat based on convenience or taste. These are important, but if you want to avoid diabetes or pre-diabetes, it’s even more important to consider health first. This means learning to make healthier choices at the grocery store and in the kitchen. Our cooking club is a good place to start be-cause you’ll learn how food and lifestyle impacts your health. You’ll also learn how nutrition can help you prevent disease or heal from ones you may have. It can also give you success in losing weight, which is tied to so many diseases today.

STRATEGY:  JOIN A COMMUNITY OF HEALTHY FRIENDS

The American Heart Association gives some excellent advice—Join a community of health-minded friends. One key to boost your progress in living a healthy lifestyle is having support from others who are doing the same thing. That’s where a plant-based cooking club like New Start comes in. This is the place where you’ll make friends with others who are looking for better health. You’ll pick up tips on how to have success and you’ll discover delicious recipes to help you live longer and feel better.

STRATEGY:  LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE

If you’re adopting a healthy lifestyle, you may feel like you’re giving things up when you swap unhealthy foods or habits for healthier ones. But this is only partly true. Think of the positive blessings you’ll be reaping. Making healthier choices means you’re making choices for a better life. More energy, greater peace, less medicine, and better health.

STRATEGY:  TAKE TIME TO MEDITATE

Stress can play a big part in our health from day to day. It can lead to higher blood pressure, more snacking, and greater anxieties. Meditation has found to be very helpful with reducing stress, making successful lifestyle changes as well as boosting peace and happiness. Taking time to pray and meditate on God’s promises in the Bible can give you peace and strength to enjoy a healthier way of life.