**Post originally published on Happy Healthy Souls

http://www.happyhealthysouls.com.au/health/5-ways-to-stay-on-track-with-your-health

5 Ways to Stay on Track with your Health

Wouldn’t you agree life can be summed up in one word, busy! If we aren’t running here, we’re running there and before we know it, another day has come and gone. Not only do we often get caught up in a hectic schedule, but how often do we stop to focus on our health? In fact, our health should be the main focus as we start our day.

Many find they struggle with balancing it all, nonetheless, how do you even balance your health on top of everything else? Through these five simple steps, you can learn how to stay on track with your health so you never feel out of balance again!

Plan meals ahead

We all know we can’t function without fuel. So, why do we let ourselves get so busy we forget to eat?! Likely because we didn’t have time to pack our lunch or we left in a hurry before work and forgot breakfast! If you schedule in time to plan your meals ahead, you’ll find this new habit will do wonders for helping you stay on track. My favourite is to take a few hours on a Sunday afternoon to prepare some dishes that will last through the week. You can make a big batch of a dish, portion it for meals, and freeze the remainder.

Drink water 30 minutes prior to eating

Did you know most of the time when you start to feel hungry, you may actually just be dehydrated? Not only is it important to make sure you get enough water in for each day to keep you hydrated, flush toxins, and balance your body fluids, but drinking water prior to eating also helps prevent overeating. When you concentrate on drinking water at least 30 minutes prior to eating, you will notice you aren’t as hungry, thus not tempted to opt for seconds.

Order a complete plate when eating out

Sometimes eating out can be our weakness. Depending upon what you order, sometimes your dish has way too much sugar, salts, oils…..way more than you would consume in a week! Eating out should be enjoyable, fun, and should be an experience. You just need to make sure you order a complete plate. Make sure you order a good lean protein, vegetable, and complex carbohydrate. Order the dish requesting for light to no salt, oils, etc. and sauce on the side. This will really help you not overindulge but be able to still enjoy your meal.

Portion control

Oh, I’m stuffed! How often do we find ourselves saying that! Maybe we had way to much food or we just ate way to fast and before we know it, we feel bloated, full, and sleepy. Try to focus each meal on portion control and eat the same portions at every meal. You will find many of the meals we order at restaurants are double portions than what we really need. Try ordering appetizers to start with accompanied by a side of vegetables or try to divide your meal in half and save the rest for another meal. You’ll avoid sinking into the afternoon meal slump where instead, you’ll stay balanced.

Walk 15 minutes after eating

Moving your body after you eat not only is a really great way to aid in digestion, but it also helps with boosting your metabolism…and giving you more energy. Additionally, studies have shown that walking just 15 minutes will help lower your blood sugar levels. If you eat and continue sitting, you’ll start to feel sluggish instead of feeling balanced.
Remember the keys to staying on track with your health is focusing on overall balance. Moving through each of these five steps, you’ll start improving your health in no time….no matter how busy you get, keep your health first!