How to Get Back on Track after Years of Unhealthy Living

To get back on track after years of unhealthy living, you need to be patient

First, you need to know that this health journey will require a lot of patience. You will not be able to get back into good shape overnight. You spent years living unhealthy, so it will take a while to undo all that. Too many people go into this expecting to see incredible results after just a week. And when they don’t, they get discouraged and give up. But that is just not realistic, not to mention it’s not healthy. The best way to get back on track is gradual. The point of this is not just to get back into shape and get healthy again but also to acquire good habits. It’s not good enough to get back into shape now and then go back to your old ways of living unhealthy. Through this process, you will learn how to treat your body and mind well. Not just for now but for the rest of your life.

Health checks

Before starting any new workout regimes, diets, or significant overall changes in your lifestyle, you need to consult health professionals. If you did live unhealthily for the last few years, you need to check if it did some serious damage to your health. You might have a health condition you didn’t know about, and that is not something to play with. Healthcare professionals will give you the most accurate information about the state of your health. They will tell you what you need to change in your lifestyle, whether it’s your eating habits or lack of working out. Did you know that many people make a decision about their living situation based on good healthcare, as it is so important to have good doctors and other health professionals available close to you? For example, there are many places in Maryland with the best healthcare systems in the whole country. And if you currently live in a state that doesn’t have good healthcare options, you should consider moving here.

Diet

What we eat and how often significantly affect our health and well-being. Our diet plays a significant role in protecting us from various health issues (heart diseases, cancer, diabetes, etc.) Did you know that 16.3 million Americans (20 years and older) have coronary heart disease? So, we cannot overstate the importance of a good and healthy diet. If you want to get the best possible diet for your body, you should book an appointment with a nutritionist. That is the fastest way to find out what your body needs and what you should avoid. However, there are some basic guidelines an average healthy diet must follow. A good diet for an adult must include eating at least 400g of vegetables and fruits per day. Also, you must lower the daily intake of salt (less than 5g) and the intake of free sugars.

Working out

In addition to eating healthy, one of the most effective protectors from obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues is regular physical activity. Unfortunately, once you stop working out for a long time, it is hard to start again. That’s why you need to start slow. If you try extreme workouts right away, you can easily hurt yourself. So, you can start by going on daily walks, then make it more difficult by jogging/running as time goes by. This is also an excellent time to get a gym membership. The best part is, after a while, through trial and error, you will find a workout routine that works the best for you. And you can constantly adapt it and change it how you like.

Mental health

One part of overall well-being people skip is mental health. And that is a huge mistake. Our brains deserve the same care as the rest of our bodies. If you have been sidelining your mental health for a while, you know how devastating that can be. A huge part of maintaining good mental health is self-care. Eating well and exercising are a part of self-care. But there are other important factors. Part of self-care is also having a healthy amount of sleep and relaxation time. You must also have a wonderful social life and stay connected to friends and family. Isolation can be incredibly detrimental to your mental health. A hobby or an activity you love should be a regular part of your life. But if you get too overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to ask for professional help. It’s 2022, and we shouldn’t allow that to be a stigma anymore. 

In conclusion

These were some general tips to help you get back on track after years of unhealthy living. As you can see, you must have patience and perseverance. We never said that this process would be easy, but we guarantee it is worth it. If you find yourself having difficulty with your diet or some strenuous exercise, remember you are doing this for your own good. Investing in your health is investing in your future.