It’s officially 2024! There is something special about the beginning of a new year.  A fresh start. New intentions, goals, and dreams! Health habits and goals are often the most popular starting a new year and for good reason! With that said, there are 3 health practices that you should ditch in 2024!

The first health habit you should ditch in 2024 is restricting food!

I know, you’ve been told most of your life that you should eat less and exercise more if you want to lose weight. This narrative is something I believed for a long time and it’s actually quite damaging. 

You’ve heard that you were supposed to eat only 1200 calories and do more cardio. There isn’t necessarily anything wrong with cardio but doing too much of anything can be a bad thing. 

When it comes to losing weight, there does require a deficit but with that you assume that it means you have to restrict a certain food group.

You need to ditch this!

The second health habit you should ditch in 2024 is avoiding exercise!

I know what you’re thinking, there is no way you can lose weight or get healthy without exercise… I was shocked when I heard someone say this too. There are specific marketing programs where you can lose 25-30lbs without exercising.

Exercise is so important. Whether you are walking, strength training, doing cardio, cycling, etc, finding a workout you love and taking time to move your body is essential. When you choose not to exercise you are increasing your chances of certain health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, and more.

I would discourage you from joining or considering anything that doesn’t include exercise.

If you struggle with exercising because you don’t enjoy it, I want to challenge you to look at the things you do in your life every day. Chances are you don’t enjoy them all but you know they are good for you so you do them anyway. Exercise doesn’t have to be something you love but it’s important! Give yourself grace and surround yourself with people who will encourage you.

The third health habit you should ditch in 2024 is weighing yourself every day!

This might be a struggle for some people because we have grown up in a world where the scale defines how you feel about yourself. It defines your confidence and what you think when you look in the mirror.

This has to stop!

The scale doesn’t tell the whole story. It shows one part of your health journey but there is so much more to it. Chasing a number is something I did personally and it can be SO harmful! I was neglecting to acknowledge any of the other things happening, like my clothes fitting better, how I was feeling, or anything else. 

Break the cycle. When I work with women for their initial 6 weeks I tell them to do measurements and to weigh themselves initially so we have a starting point. Then I encourage them to stay off the scale for the entire 6 weeks. Why? Because they are choosing positive change for themselves and the last thing I want is for them to step on the scale and feel feelings of defeat. 

There is a time to weigh yourself but if you are waking up and that’s the first thing you are thinking about doing, you need to ditch that mentality this year. 

The habits you are practicing now are the ones that are going to impact you 20-30 years from now! Choose ones that are sustainable and that you can show up consistently in.

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If you liked this blog, here’s more for you!

MINDFUL HEALTH: 4 WEEKLY HEALTH HABITS: HERE

YOU DON’T HAVE TO RESTRICT TO LOSE WEIGHT: HERE