It's the Little Things

As Americans we tend to think BIG. Bigger is always better. But I have found that it is not always the case. With my realization that I need to shed a few pounds, I grew overwhelmed thinking about all the big things I needed to do. Cut out foods from my diet completely, join a gym, give up soda, etc, etc. While these are all great ideas, they were too big for me. Too much out of my comfort zone, too much at once. Most likely something that I would do for a few weeks and then jump back into my old routine and habits.

Instead, I started focusing on the little things that I could do that would contribute to an overall better and healthier me. I love sweets. I mean I really LOVE sweets. This doesn’t go well with the fact that I love to snack as well. During work, while watching TV, before I go to bed. So one of the little things that I have done was purchase almonds, grapes and happy cow cheese. I make sure that I always have one or another on my person. Instead of heading to the vending machine at work or making a trip to the local QT for some sweets, I snack on one of the healthier options.

It has also helped with my snacking on chocolate at home. Instead of going to the candy bowl (I know, it would be so much easier to get rid of the bowl, but I can’t…my husband is a mild chocoholic) I open the fridge and grab some grapes. Not as sweet and yummy, but I feel better about my choices after.

I have also started parking further away from where ever it is I am going. It does not have a huge impact, but it does add steps to my day, get my blood flowing a little more and, again, makes me feel better about my choices.

For those of you that do not know me, I am a Diet Coke junkie. I drink it first thing in the morning, clear until bedtime. I recently started just taking a limited number to work. Once they are gone, I turn to dreaded water. When I get home, instead of having regular Diet Coke, I drink Caffeine Free Diet Coke. Still not ideal, but having caffeine free vs. regular diet coke has allowed me to sleep better. I am not staying up as late because I jacked up on caffeine.

I know these are all little things and will not have BIG AMAZING EFFECTS, but these small things are allowing me to make healthy choices. These healthy choices can (and will) lead to additional, bigger healthy choices. It seems to be contagious. Once I do something that makes me feel even a little better, I want to do something else, and something else, and something else. So they were right when they said it’s the little things that count. What little things can you do, or are you doing to make a healthier you?