You ever wonder how you will know that you are moving in the right direction? Sometimes it can be a little frustrating turning your lifestyle around.
Time ticks by and you wonder if what you are doing is really making a difference. I am an impatient person. I hate waiting…I want to see things now!
But, I always remember that small changes equal BIG ones down the road.
Here are 8 signs that what you are doing (even if it does seem small at the time) is truly working:
1. Your Hair, Skin, and Nails
You might notice that your skin is clearing up, your hair is shinier, or your nails are healthier. You are putting better foods into your body and therefore your body is getting more nutrients.
Are you eating more fruits and vegetables? Are you drinking more water? Are you exercising more? Whatever it is you are slowly noticing it when you look in the mirror.
2. Your Clothes
They fit better. Maybe you couldn’t even put a leg in your favorite pair of jeans. Or you couldn’t zip or button your favorite dress. Well, now maybe you can. And if you still can’t you are closer to fitting in it better than you did last week or two months ago.
3. Your Scale
I for one don’t even use a scale anymore. I just judge by my clothes. But, if you do use the scale do you see it going down? If you notice it going up don’t give up so soon. If you started exercising and strength training perhaps you started building some muscle. And muscle weighs more than fat so your scale could be reflecting that.
4. Your Taste in Food
I noticed when my food choices got better my consumption of the “bad” stuff decreased. My taste just changed. I simply didn’t feel like eating the same things anymore. My cravings for fast food and soda drastically went down. I used to drink soda like it was water. Now I can be in the same room as soda and not even touch it. I still crave one every once in a while, but it’s nowhere like it used to be.
Do you notice how you may consume some of your past favorite food a whole lot less?
5. Your Tolerance of Certain Foods
When I do crave my old favorites I find that when I eat them or indulge a little too much I pay for it later. My stomach may feel a little queasy or I just feel plain “blah” if you know what I mean. It’s like my body is slowly rejecting the old stuff and craving more of the better food choices.
6. Your Kids
Are your kids seeing the changes, too? When your kids start talking about elderberry syrup and quinoa you know you’re doing something good.
And when they start asking for the new healthier treats over their usual ones then that’s something to smile about.
7. Your Energy Levels
Do you not feel as tired anymore? Are you falling asleep at your desk less these days? That’s great!
As your eating habits improve and you eat less of the bad sugary stuff your blood sugar levels remain more stable which means you can function a whole lot better without crashing. Also, exercising will increase your energy, too.
8. Your General Health
If you were the type to get a lot of colds or other illnesses maybe now you notice you are getting sick less and less. And perhaps you can’t even remember the last time you were sick for that matter.
Your better food choices and exercise activity are boosting your immunity. Your body is responding better to changes like weather and stress as a result. You are better equipped now to keep any sickness at bay.
What other changes have you seen since you improved your lifestyle?
This list is comprehensive. You really got it covered. I changed my lifestyle 1.5 years ago to eat and live clean. I’ve experienced everything you mention above. I barely miss any of the junk food that I loved and now really crave avocaodos and pumpkin seeds instead of mochas and cheese-its.
Thank you so much Caryn! Isn’t great not to miss any of the old junk food we used to think we could never live without? It feels great.
Love this! They’re all so true. Another thing is when OTHER people start noticing changes! I’ve had a lot of friends comment recently on how slim and fit I look now. I’ve been noticing the changes myself in my appearance, diet, energy, and overall health, but having others notice it as well is so rewarding!
Yes Megan! It is fantastic when other people take notice! Puts an extra pep in your step that day!
When we are working hard to improve our health, change our diets or lose weight, we often need/hope to see signs of improvement to keep us going. These signs give us hope and motivate us to keep going or to make tweaks in our program to improve our results. Thank you for sharing “8 Signs That Your Lifestyle Changes are Working” with us at the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop! Im pinning and sharing!
Yes – I think it is in our DNA as humans to get some type of feedback, whether we see it ourselves or someone else does. It definitely does help keep the motivation going! Thanks Deborah!
I agree with everything on your list. I especially notice my skin’s appearance changing with my diet, and my tastes are very different now than they used to be. I also notice that I sleep better and am able to concentrate more when my diet is on point. Thanks for a great post!
Hi Jen – sleep and concentration are good ones, too! Thank you!
Great list here! It’s good to notice the changes and know all the hard work is going somewhere. I personally noticed my skin clearing when I chose to start eating more healthy – I suddenly didn’t have a super greasy face!
Lol I know what you mean with the greasy face! Thanks for stopping by!