What are your healthy habits?

I would really like to know what "healthy habits" CC members have started and kept up?

It could be something small or something HUGE!

What were they and how long did it take before it became natural to you or a "healthy habit"

******************thanks Athena for this idea****************

My healthy habit has been keeping a constant exercise schedule. Exercising doesn't seem like a chore anymore. I actually enjoy it!

For me one of the biggest healthy habits I have formed has been eating several small (pre planned) meals a day. This has cut out on most unnecessary snacking that I used to do. I don't get home from work starving and pig out any more. Plus, since they are pre-planned I take them with me when I leave the house and I don't have to go out to get food. Saving me calories and money.

My first healthy habit was to use my seatbelt - every time I drive a car - yes, even when I'm moving the car around in the driveway!! Currently, I believe drinking water has become a healthy habit. Now, when I am visiting somewhere and asked if I want something to drink, I without any thought ask for water. I keep bottles of water in my car trunk - so that I have water available whereever I go.

Well, you already know about the one I had, switching to a non-caloric beverage at lunch!

After I had that habit, I switched to drinking water, not just for health, but to save the cash I was spending on those diet sodas. Then I started drinking one 20 oz bottle (refillable bottle) in the afternoon. Then two. Then I added one in the morning between coffee and lunch, and that's how I got up to 80 oz of water/day when I'm at work.

I started eating cereal for breakfast two days a week, instead of having a muffin. Then I switched from eating chocolate chocolate-chip muffins the other three days to eating one every other week. Yeah, I still eat them -- they are really good -- but I definitely don't need one every day!

I stopped getting three (three!!!!) chocolate chip cookies for dessert after lunch most days. (180 calories a cookie; geez louise, what was I thinking?!?!) I still occasionally will have a cookie, but not three of them, and not three of them every day!

I pack my lunch most days now. I started out doing this two or three days a week, and now it's a habit. I don't bring lunch some days (such as today), but usually that's because I haven't been to the grocery store and don't have anything suitable in the house.

Some things I've tried that have not become habits, but which I may try to instill again in my life: using the bathroom one floor below or above my office twice a day, instead of the one across from my office; walking for 10 minutes three times a day at lunchtime; doing 20 wall pushups when I get back to my office after using the bathroom; doing any form of regular exercise.

Something new I'm trying now: doing 20 crunches before I get out of bed each morning.

I'm such a lazy cuss......

...and apparently a threadkiller....

running and eating oatmeal!

I would definitely have to say eating many small meals and drinking lots of water.

I'm trying to get in the exercise groove like Nani's saying, but it's proving to be quite elusive as a habit! :)

My healthy habit is to not let trying to lose weight and be thin rule my life.  There's worse things in life to have than be over weight.  If I lose great, if I don't it's not the end of the world and no one should try and make you think otherwise. 

Great habits and I like the "small" ones that will add up to be HUGE ones over time.

Helenc I am thinking that being this much over weight WILL be the end of my world or at least shorten my life span. :( It's gotten to that point.

One habit I've picked up (kinda silly) but every week since I've started
my weight loss journey,  I go up and down our stairs as fast as I can.
Each week I'm adding one more flight.  Kids think its funny to chase mom and I'm noticeing my thighs are firmer:)  

Here are seven good habits with which I replaced my bad habits

1.  Eating less sugar.  Since I don't like artificial sweeteners, I've gotten used to not having things taste so sweet.

2.  Eating less salt.  Same as sugar - I've gotten used to tasting less salt.

3.  Eating less fat.  I used to start cooking with big glugs of olive oil (it's good for you, right?).  Now I measure all fats and have gotten used to having less.

4.  Eating more vegetables.  I've always eaten vegetables, but now I have at least 5 half cup servings a day

5.  Eating more fruit.  I now have 3 half cup servings a day.  It used to be about 1 every day or so.

6.  Switching to whole grains.  Gone are the white rice, white bread and refined cereals.  Except for an occasional dish of pasta, I now eat whole grains.

7.  Switching to low fat dairy.  I no longer have cream or full fat milk and cheese in the house.

Ooo! Claire reminded me of another! I use an olive oil spray now when I cook. Such a little thing, but sooooo many fewer calories!

1.  Eating greek (lowfat) yogurt and fruit almost every morning.  Lots of protein and fiber, and it keeps me satisfied until noon.

2.  Replacing after-dinner dessert with a small piece of dark chocolate.  Saves hundreds of calories, but allows me to feel as if I am not on a "diet" depriving myself.

3.  Using a small plate for dinner every night.  Big mental trick--it works! 

4.  Less snacking and picking during the day.  Three meals, two snacks.  That's it.

I eat 5-6 small preplanned meals per day. I also try to eat whole foods whenever possible.

I use a measuring cup for everything - my idea of a what a "cup" was previous to Calorie Count was fouling up my dieting. 

My biggest healthy habit would have to be pre-planning my dinners and actually cooking at home rather than eating out!

I stopped drinking calories (for the most part), which meant cutting out pop and juice.  I'm trying to drink waaay more water and tea instead (no cal!)

I've started eating breakfast every day, even when I'm not hungry.  I've stopped eating so many things like frozen pizza, or going out to buffets, and started working on making my own food instead.

Fewer deserts, or at least replacing desert with a fruit instead of cookies or chocolate.

I also go to the gym as often as I can.

Thanks for this thread, btw, it's nice to take a couple minutes and think about how I've improved even if the scale hasn't really started to show much change yet :)

Drinking tons of water. This is easily done by carrying around a 16oz waterbottle and drinking from it throughout the day.

No sugar. None. No candy, cookies, etc. I like it way too much. I'll eat a piece of fruit instead and get the same sweetness without the cravings.

Moving as much as I can. Taking breaks from the PC to stretch my legs by walking around a little. Drinking tons of water means frequent trips to the ladies room, so the two go hand in hand. ;)

Not eating at night. Brushing my teeth early in the evening gives me that "done with eating" feeling, it really helps.

Taking a multi-vitamin. I know I'm probably missing some important stuff and want to make sure I get the vitamins I need to stay healthy.

Drinking skim milk or eating some form of low-cal cheese. I need the calcium.

i was a fast food addict for a really long time. i have not had fast food in 5 months. i have had diner food and other things, but fast food has not entered my body. ive also stopped eating things like chips and certain deli meats. i measure everything and ive even cut back on peanut butter. i jog 3-4 days a week depending on my drive that week haha. and i think before i eat. big accomplishment for me.

Stop eating when I'm satisfied. Eating more veggies. Becoming a vegetarian. Trying to exercise daily, even if it's walking 20 min. Skipping the desserts and having a butterscotch disk instead. Drinking soy milk (I love it!) Writing down goals and actually working towards achieving them. Being positive and eliminating negative self talk...it doesn't get you anywhere.

Read the new book  "Mindless Eating" it's awesome and has lots of great ideas. My favorite is to pour drinks into tall skinny glasses, you'll save lots of calories! I don't do this for water, though.