When it comes to lifestyle change, most of us have no problem giving reasons why it’s too hard or it won’t work.  Diet books have us convinced we have to give up the things we love.  Many popular exercise programs are intimidating.  We can’t begin to imagine where we’d squeeze in another hour of sleep.  It’s downright overwhelming!

Want the truth? It’s easy to make changes to improve our health. The trick is to take it one small change at a time.  When we succeed at a goal, it gives us a sense of pride.  That pride leads us to make more positive steps toward a healthy life.  Before you know it, you’re sharing your {secrets} with your friends and family.

Read the 6 steps below.  Pick one to start today and make it stick! Once your new healthy habit is part of your life, pick another, then another.  Continue to build until you no longer recognize yourself!  You’ll be really glad you did.

• Stop striving for perfection.  No one is perfect; not even you (and if are perfect, you’re probably not much fun to be around.)  Changing your life is not about doing everything perfect.  It’s about slowly building a healthier you.

• Add a glass of water to your day. Most of us know drinking water is good for us; we just don’t drink enough.  Set a small goal to wake up every morning and drink an 8 ounce glass of water.  Starting your day with a healthy habit will set you up for a successful day.

• Move more.  I’m not talking about structured exercise; I’m talking about getting up and living your life.  Stop giving yourself a reason to lay around and watch TV; do something.  Clean the floor, iron, wash dishes, take a family stroll.  Increasing your “leisure-time physical activity” can make a huge difference in how you feel and heighten your energy level.  Plus, if you do some of your cleaning during the week, you’ll free up your weekends for fun.

•  Clean up your Environment. Thinking you can beat the urge to bust open the gallon of ice cream is foolish.  Get it out of the house.  Fill your cabinets with healthy foods and snacks so that when hunger strikes you are ready. If you crave ice cream, drive to the store and buy a small cone.  Feed the craving without feeling defeated.

•  Add two more servings of fruits and vegetables every day.  Even if you feel like you eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, build on it.  If you currently eat none, you will soon be eating 2 servings.  If you currently eat 4 servings a day, you will soon eat 6.  Fruits and vegetables are filled with vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and fiber- all of which we need more of.

• Limit sugar sweetened beverages.  Notice I did not say eliminate.  That’s because building a healthy lifestyle is not about extreme behavior.  It’s about small changes.  If you currently drink 3 cups of juice every day, cut back to 4 ounces a day.  If soda is your weakness, allow yourself 12 ounces 2x/week.  But, if drinking some makes you crave more, it might be time to come up with a complete replacement.