3 Fast Ways To Improve Your Health (and Your Food!)

Everyone claims they have the secret and trick to weight loss. Let's be honest... they don't. When's the last time you met someone completely normal and healthy who lost tons of weight on diet-pills and a juice cleanse and kept it off? Without having an emotional breakdown? *crickets*crickets* Yeah, exactly. Forget fads- let's check out easy lifestyle changes that'll stick. You'll feel as good as that gal over there, except probably not in the middle of a wheat field.

Drink More Water (Stop Drinking Empty Calories)

Via amandasapron.com

Drink water! Stop drinking soda, juice, strawberry milk, sweetened tea and coffee and other calorie-laden drinks. They are empty calories which means besides the large number of weight-gaining calories they provide you, they give your body NOTHING ELSE. 60% or more of your body is water so it makes sense this is the beverage you should drink the most of. It doesn't have to be boring- check out these fruity recipes for flavored water that are natural and tasty. Even fresh-pressed, cold-pressed, hand picked whatever whatever juices are empty calories. All the good fiber and whole, intact nutrients are gone. If you want fruit, eat it. If you're thirsty, drink water.

Stop Putting Salt on Everything

Via covingtonweekly.com

Throw your salt shaker out the window. Be careful you don't hit that old lady across the street who constantly spies on the entire neighborhood. If you really want to make a bold move, toss out your sea salt too. Yes, the body needs sodium for it's cells and other functions, but it exists naturally in enough foods that we don't need to cook every single thing we eat with salt. There are a bajillion (that's a technical term) herbs, spices and other naturally flavorful things in the world to make your food taste great, look great and smell great. Try serving food with lemon wedges to squeeze over the top of food as needed- this will replace the habit of salting your food at the table without pissing off your taste buds. About that sea salt- it doesn't have less sodium and costs 2-3x more than everything you see in this photo above. Puh-lease.

Get Off the Couch!

Via kirbymuseum.org

Honestly, for the love of whatever deity you do/do not worship, GET MOVING! Take your dog for a walk or borrow a friend/neighbors dog and walk it. Go for an evening stroll after dinner. Ride a bike to work. By all means, treat yourself to a froyo but freaking walk there! On the weekends, plan out a delicious brunch but make sure everyone comes to the park afterwards for a game of ultimate frisbee (does anyone play that anymore or am I stuck in the 90's?). You get the idea- every little bit counts, and by being active and using your body more, you'll lose weight, digest better, sleep better and be happier.

That's it. Just three simple things you can start doing right. this. second. No fads. No gimmicks. I even try to save you money but letting you know that expensive juices are pointless and rare pink imported Himalayan sea salt ain't got nothin' on fresh grated ginger and minced garlic. Or fresh-picked basil. Or.. well, you get the idea.