By Eileen Ferrer, Skinny Gene Nutritionist

It’s the time to get healthy!  This year just flew by, and with less than four months left of 2014, why wait for the New Year to reconnect with that infamous New Year’s resolution?  Being healthy is easy, but it is with planning and maintenance that many people experience some difficulty.  So if eating a pound of kale doesn’t make a person healthy, what is it that healthy people do to maintain their health?  They developed healthy habits.

Healthy habits are not usually acquired overnight.  But it is a gradual transition that encompasses a multitude of elements starting with our physical and emotional health, our behaviors, thought processes, even including spirituality.  These various elements are like building blocks, creating a healthy, happy you.  Here are just some ideas that you can start with to create healthy habits of your own.

6 Habits of Healthy People

1. The motto is moderation.  Too much of even a good thing, can still be bad.  The pound of kale for example, if you were to eat an entire pound in one sitting, it could result in the food turning into sugar in your body; ultimately, stored as fat.  It is important to keep moderation on the mind, when eating, and with engaging in physical activity.

2. Have fun with physical activity.  If a four-minute mile is an unthinkable act (it definitely is for me), try swimming, biking, roller skating hiking, Zumba, yoga, or my favorite, good old walking.  These are great ways to enjoy physical activity.  Also, be physically active in a place you enjoy, whether it is the gym or the great outdoors, be somewhere that makes you happy.

3. Eat for your health.  We consume foods that taste good, and not all healthy foods have to be bland, odorless, and colorless.  When planning your meals, eat a rainbow by choosing fruits and vegetables of all colors, which will provide beneficial vitamins and minerals.  For healthy proteins, eat lean meats, fish, tofu, and beans.  For more fiber, choose whole grain/wheat products.  Do not forget about the dairy, choose low-fat or non-fat yogurts, cheese, and milk.

4. Drink more water. Water is delicious!  Flavor it with lemons, melons, strawberries, cucumbers and mint.  Remember, it is okay to indulge in your cravings, your motto is moderation.

5. Catch some Z’s. Do you get enough sleep?  For adults and the elderly, the recommended amount is seven to eight hours of sleep a night.  Sleep helps with healthy brain function and emotional well-being by preparing for the next day.  The brain is forming new pathways to help you learn and remember important information like these tips to develop healthy habits.  It also helps with physical health.  Sleeping is involved in the healing and repairing of your heart and blood vessels.  Not enough sleep can put you at risk for heart and kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and obesity.

6. Be stress free and take time to relax.  We enjoy life, but in general, life is a stressor.  If you are stressing about your health, try not to; everyone has a starting point, and in no time, you will develop your own healthy habits.  Learning stress coping methods, such as exercising, listening to music or mediation are a few ways to reduce stress.  If time is limited, give yourself ten minutes of “you” time throughout the day; have a seat, and erase whatever is on your mind.  If something is still bothering you, write it down or dance it out.  On that note, I wanted to leave you with something that was shared with me that has a high cute factor.  Click here to check it out.  Enjoy, relax and be healthy!