Earlier this week, Janetha shared a post that stuck out to me. It talked about the many healthy habits we can adopt. The habits she mentioned covered a wide range and did not limit themselves to eating and workouts.

Not having the option to workout and feeling less desire for my standard dining fare sometimes leaves me with the belief “I’m not very healthy right now”. Well, that simply is not true. I cannot forget the many other healthy habits I still maintain and that matter just as much.

#1 = I listen to my body. The reason I’m not working out right now has nothing to do with laziness and everything to do with taking care of myself. I need rest and I honor that with stopping workouts for the time being.

#2 = I still eat my veggies. I may not eat the same variety and volume as I normally do, but they are still a regular part of my diet.

I make an effort to include some with every dinner and just make sure to choose options I still like. Although, it’s perfectly okay if pizza & Blizzard nights happen without a veggie in sight too.

#3 = I pray. I firmly believe that spiritual wellness impacts overall wellness greatly. I begin every morning with Bible study, devotional reading, and prayer. Then, pray throughout the day as needed. It helps reduce my stress levels and builds my happiness, which are very healthy things.

#4 = I surround myself with loved ones. I have numerous quality relationships – my husband, my kiddo(s), my sister and mom, other family, my friends from church/mom’s group/past/blogging, and more.

Without a doubt these relationships make me a healthier person. They allow me to do everything from laugh to cry.

#5 – Food doesn’t control me. I no longer face overwhelming guilt related to the food I eat. I no longer binge. Food is separate from emotions. I am in control.

#6 – I take care of dental hygiene. Flossing, brushing, mouth rinse washing are all standard parts of my daily routine. Who cares if it comes from fear of the dentist? My teeth are cared for!

#7 – I have good sleeping habits. Even though my nights are not the most restful, I don’t forget the importance of having a regular bed and awakening time. I think keeping that schedule helps me get more sleep than I could otherwise.

#8 – Stretching. Whenever I sit and play with Makenzie I try to always take a few minutes to stretch out achy muscles. I may not be able to work out, but I can still mind my flexibility.

How’s that for a flashback picture? I conceived baby B around that time. LOL

#9 – I vent. I no longer hold emotions in and try to hide them under a “perfect” shell to present to the world. That only led to depression before. Now, I like to think I do a good job at recognizing, pinpointing, and overcoming negativity in my life with the vent sessions I openly embrace. You all know about those.

#10 – I guzzle water. I have a gallon jug in my fridge that I refill every night. I use that jug to refill my Camelbak water bottle throughout the following day. I typically drink at least the full gallon. I love my water and its never a challenge to get in enough H2O.

• What healthy habit are you proud of consistently being in your life?

Taking time off from my regular habits is a sure fire way to get me motivated for healthier eats and a sweat session. It’s been since last Tuesday that I have managed to get in a workout, thanks to the holidays and illness. As today went on I felt better than I have in awhile and literally craved movement this afternoon. I still have a bit of a sore throat and some congestion, so I kept it very easy with a light 2 mile walk on the treadmill. While reading The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

Theresa, it is getting really good! Thank you so much for sending me this series!

Then, I came home and continued healthier habits with a delicious dinner filled with veggies. Many of my recent veggies have come in the form of leftover casserole dishes. Delicious, but not the best choice for days on end. 😉 Besides, a tofu veggie stir fry is still deliciously satisfying!

This all reminds me of one of the first questions I received for the Q + A posts. How do I stay motivated? I didn’t want to answer such a question with a basic answer but it really does boil down to one thing – I stay motivated to eat nutritiously and maintain workouts because I feel so much better when I do. Going a few days without that balance in my life leaves me out of sorts and feeling unlike myself, which I have obviously struggled with more during pregnancy.

Perhaps I didn’t always have the motivation I have now, though? Perhaps it was tougher initially and now it has become second nature that its easy to naturally maintain momentum and motivation? With that in mind I branched out to other things that keep me motivated and focusing on health.

Eat & Do What I Enjoy – I find healthy food choices, recipes, and combos that I actually like eating. I no longer force myself to follow food rules. For workouts, I pick things that are fun to me. I took time to discover what I truly like and try to incorporate those as often as possible. It doesn’t feel like a chore when I make decisions that suit my preferences.

Variety Is The Spice of Life – I consistently mix up my workouts. I make a point to try new recipes regularly. I try very hard to keep myself from falling into a rut. This makes healthy living more fun.

Surround Myself With Like-Minded People – This is where blogs come in to play. I read many blogs and each one inspires me in various ways. Plus, they provide me with the ideas to keep more variety. You can also find friends to work out with or keep in touch with when things are tough. I’m always just an email, tweet, or FB comment away if you need a dose of support, too. 😉

I’m An Example – Little M and Baby B will look up to me when forming their eating habits. My actions and how I spend my time will influence their own as they grow. I want my children to be healthy, but in a natural and non-pressured way. The best way to do that, in my opinion, comes through practicing what I preach. Living for my family is HUGE motivation. It makes me smile that M will ask to “kickbox with Mommy” or that she seems so proud when we go to the gym and she says “Mommy workout”.

Mini Challenges – I have also joined in various challenges or started personal ones of my own to get my butt in gear with certain things. Sometimes making the process a game with some a reward can initiate changes and go a long way.

Move On - When starting out with new & healthier habits, I always give them time to sink in and really become part of my lifestyle. I avoid thinking in terms of “good” or “bad” days. Every decision counts towards a greater picture. Whenever I get caught up in trying to be perfect with eating or workouts, I end up losing all motivation as things inevitably get thrown off course.

Those are just a few of my big ones off the top of my head. I certainly don’t think they are anything new or life-altering, but they help me keep focus on healthier living.

• What helps you stay motivated in your healthy habits? Have your motivating factors changed with time?
• In case you missed it earlier, the blog is now on Facebook. I would be honored to have your support! CLICK HERE