By Helaine Krasner, MS, RDN, CDN

It’s times like these that can throw us off our game. Most of us have had our routines completely turned upside-down. Aside from having to adjust to an altered work environment or even no work at all, our eating and exercise habits have simultaneously been impacted – through no fault of our own – by decreased access due to social distancing. On top of all that, increased anxiety that impacts our sleep and overall sense of well-being can leave us feeling out of sorts and off balance. These challenges can make it easy to lose focus of our health goals.

Now, more than ever, it’s important to monitor our habits and have a back-up plan to keep us on track.  Although it’s natural to crave some extra comfort and pampering it’s also important to balance any increased indulgences with consistent attention to healthy habits. Self-monitoring can also provide a sense of control at a time when many things happening around us may seem out of control.

Tips for monitoring your habits:

  • Set a daily step goal and track daily steps on a fitness tracker on phone app.
  • Schedule regular exercise time with activities appropriate for the current environment.
  • Keep food records using a phone app to increase awareness of eating habits.
  • Use a food shopping list and stick to it to decrease impulse buys of comfort foods.
  • Check in with yourself throughout the day to assess your stress level and practice stress management techniques as often as needed.

Now is not the time to throw away all the good habits you’ve worked hard to develop. However, this is the perfect time to practice the habit of accountability and exercise your skills of adapting and being flexible. Life happens, and this is not the last time our lives will be disrupted. The good habits we practice now will not only help us feel better during this unusual time but will leave us stronger for what lies ahead.

 

Helaine Krasner, MS, RDN, CDN is a registered dietitian nutritionist who takes great pride in helping our Bariatric and Medical Weight Management patients achieve their health and weight loss goals.