Making healthy lifestyle changes is far from easy. We’ve all been there at the end of a long, tiring day, wanting to stay cuddled up on your couch rather than getting active. To help you stay on track with your goals, we’ve compiled some tips and tricks for those days when you’re feeling your least motivated.

Get moving.

One of the easiest ways to add some exercise into your day is simply to move your body when you can. Easy ways to do this are to take the stairs whenever possible, get off the bus or train a stop early, and to choose to walk instead of driving if you can. Stacie on our team swears by only taking calls while on the move and Isaac from our customer experience team offers to walk a friend’s dog during lunch. These little choices add up!

Bring the gym to you.

There are plenty of exercises you can do without even leaving your living room (and with zero equipment!). We like this simple arm workout that seems easy but that you’ll definitely be feeling the following day. Would you rather watch TV than workout? Try working out during the commercials. Another productive option is using cleaning as an excuse to get moving. Then, your apartment will be really clean and you’ll have gotten your heart rate up. Win win!

Stay hydrated.

We know you know this… but drinking water is a super important part of a healthy lifestyle. A good and customized goal is to take your weight, divide it in half, and try to drink that many ounces of water each day. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs., try to drink 75 ounces of water each day. It’ll boost your metabolism and keep cravings at bay… but make sure you’re not drinking unwanted calories and ingredients! Stick to water or tea instead of sugary or sweet drinks for a healthier, more hydrating option.

Go to sleep!

While this might seem like the opposite of what you want to do, getting enough sleep is crucial to recovery. Make it a habit to get to bed early, and take a few minutes before you snooze to stretch (it’s important!) to calm your mind and body.

Find balance.

Did you have an indulgent weekend? Don’t stress. 80% of the time we should be sticking to our healthy habits, but 20% of the time it’s ok to have that mac n cheese or to spend the afternoon on the couch. Just know that tomorrow is a new day, and any movement is good movement!

Hold yourself accountable.

Whether it be a full on bribe or little ways to keep yourself on track, this tactic can be extremely effective (and fun!). We suggest putting Post-It notes with workout ideas on your wall or door that you can grab every time you head out for a workout. After 30 days, reward yourself with a new athletic outfit or special meal! Another way to hold yourself accountable is to set a “Stand Up Alarm” to keep yourself from long stationary periods throughout the day. Every time it buzzes, get your butt up, even just for a minute! Some members of our team even like to work standing up during the day. Check out this hack for creating a standing desk without breaking your bank.

Bring a buddy!

Everything's better with friends! Ask a friend to be active with you to encourage yourself to follow through on your health goals. Another easy way to encourage yourself is to talk about your plans to everyone. If you tell everyone you’re going to the gym, it’s unlikely you’re not going to follow through.

Do anything.

Even on tired or rough days, make sure to make time to be active. Doing one active thing is better than not doing anything! Give yourself a pat on the back each time you make the choice to take the stairs or bike to work rather than driving. It’s so important to stay positive and be kind to yourself!

While these healthy hacks make getting active easier, Splendid Spoon makes eating healthy easier, both of which are important to upkeep healthy habits. Get started with a weekly delivery and make switching to a plant-based diet a breeze.

Questions? Email us at hello@splendidspoon.com