Realistic Healthy Habits with Carbon 38

I used to be about 30 pounds heavier than I am now, so while I will not pretend to be a fitness freak in this post, I have found some realistic healthy habits that help me be my best self. It’s the end of the holiday season, close to the start of a new year. Fitness and health are topics heavy on most people’s minds. I believe in balance, not deprivation. You’ll often catch me with a green smoothie after an indulgent date night which is exactly what happened in these photos. I’m excited to be teaming up with Carbon 38 and the Blogger Nation girls to share some fun workout gear and healthy rules I live by.

Leopard Leggings and Wrap Jacket c/o Carbon38 // Nike Internationalist Sneakers

Realistic Healthy Habits

1. Plan to Cook at Home – I love to cook. My diet is soooo much better when I plan a healthy meal where I can control the ingredients and portion size. If I don’t have a meal planned, chances are we are grabbing something much less healthy and higher calorie. Additionally, if I have a meal planned and shopped for, I feel like I have to make it. It’s much harder to go through a drive through when I know I’d be wasting food at home. I keep it simple during the week and use the crock pot a lot.
2. Bring Your Lunch to Work – When Russ and I first got married, I cooked at home but not always in a healthy way. We also ate out on our lunch breaks a lot. Not only was it more expensive, it was also way less healthy. We bring our lunch every day. Having that routine in place really helps me. If I eat a healthy breakfast and lunch, I don’t stress out about having a treat or a dinner out occasionally.
3. Wear Fun Workout Gear – I think this goes without saying for a fashion lover like me, but if I have something fun to put on I am way more motivated to get active. Today I am wearing the leopard print legging and wrap jacket from Carbon38. These are both such good quality pieces. And hello, leopard print? So fun. The jacket has fleece lined sleeves, so it’s extra warm for a winter workout.
4. Find a Buddy – Don’t ask me how many times I have actually used the treadmill we bought on Craig’s List. I’d much rather talk about weekly walks with a great friend who lives close by. It’s so much easier for me to make a date and get outside.
5. Make Smart Decisions at the Grocery Store – I seriously have no willpower. It is not a trait I am proud of, but acknowledging it helps me make smarter choices at the grocery store. It’s where my willpower starts. We try to only keep healthy snacks in our house. Think Greek yogurt, almonds, fruit, etc. If I don’t have it, I don’t eat it. We also only buy what we need. Making a list and sticking to it helps us not waste food and buy things we are tempted by while shopping.
6. Walk – Take the stairs, park farther away, take a lap around your building in the afternoon, or any other thing that will add some steps to your day. While you will not find me running miles each day, I’m a firm believer in taking the stairs to my third floor office.