Open any feed these days and the number of ads pushing “healthy habits” can feel overwhelming. From face yoga videos to boutique circuit-training studios, the constant stream of promises, and the pricey subscriptions attached to them, can make getting started feel harder than it needs to be.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And as a registered dietitian and certified personal trainer who’s helped hundreds of people reach their goals and keep them long-term, I can share some good news: it usually isn’t expensive memberships or trendy programs that make the difference. It’s the small, repeatable habits people practice day after day, the ones that slowly become part of real life.(1)
And here’s the truth about habit building: it doesn’t happen overnight. Despite the popular myth that a habit forms in just a few days, research shows it takes closer to two months for a new behavior to truly feel like second nature.(2)
Read on for five simple habits you can start today to support your healthiest self, no expensive memberships required.
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5 Healthy Habits You Can Explore
1. Move Your Body Every Day
No, we’re not talking about a sweaty 30-minute HIIT class here. We’re talking about the everyday movement you naturally fit into your day, the kind that happens outside of formal workouts.
This type of activity is called NEAT, or non-exercise activity thermogenesis.(3) In simple terms, it means that the more you move throughout the day, the more calories you burn, which can support weight management over time.(4)
The best part? NEAT doesn’t look like “exercise.” It’s the small things that add up: parking a little farther away, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, standing more and sitting less, walking, stretching, fidgeting, and yes even housework like vacuuming counts.(5)
The key is consistency. When you take these opportunities to move whenever they come up, those small choices can turn into habits that really add up over time.
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2. Choose More Whole Foods
There’s a reason the Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasize eating foods closer to their original form in nature – like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and lentils, and proteins.(6) These foods are filled with important nutrients, like fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins and minerals, that help enhance your health. From disease prevention to weight-control benefits, there’s a plethora of benefits you’ll see when you opt for more whole foods in your diet.(6)
But, don’t take this the wrong way. Minimally processed foods, such as frozen fruits and vegetables, canned beans and vegetables, pre-cut vegetables, and even canned proteins like tuna and salmon can be a healthy addition to the diet. While foods that undergo a little more processing, and with that, carry more added sugars, sodium, and preservatives, should be limited in the diet, this doesn’t mean they are off-limits completely. The goal here is to make this habit realistic for your lifestyle, not restrictive. Take a look at our MyFitnessPal curated guide to choosing processed foods to help you make the best choices when needed for your personal health needs.
Using the MyFitnessPal meal planning and food logging features can be handy when tackling this habit to help make it easier on you to see how your intakes are stacking up to reaching your goals, and where improvements can be made.
3. Prioritize Sleep Like it’s Part of Your Health Routine
Getting quality sleep is just as important as eating well and moving your body when it comes to building your healthiest self. Sleep gives your body time to rest and repair, but it also plays a key role in memory, focus, and even clearing out waste that builds up in the brain while you’re awake.(10) In short: sleep matters more than most of us realize.
The key is creating a sleep routine that works with your life, not against it. Everyone’s schedule and evening demands look different, so what works for a friend may not work for you and that’s okay. Focus on what you can realistically do most nights of the week to get those recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep. And try to keep your timing consistent. If you usually head to bed between 9:30 and 10:30 p.m., aim to stick to that window as often as you can.(7)
Building a wind-down routine you actually enjoy is essential. Maybe it’s a light spritz of aromatherapy on your pillow, a few pages of a good book (without screens), or a cup of chamomile tea before bed.(7) These small habits support the bigger goal: waking up feeling rested, refreshed, and ready to take on your day.
4. Manage Stress in Small, Daily Ways
Stress is unfortunately a part of life we all weather.(8) It doesn’t make it any easier, but relatable for us all. The problem with stress is that when we don’t find healthy outlets to manage stress, it can do a number on our physical and mental health.(8)
The good thing is there are a variety of no-cost tools you can utilize to manage stress. In fact, leaning into short walks, deep breathing, meditation, a little R&R in nature, or other creative outlets can be the missing link you need to feel better in your daily life.(8) Research shows visiting green spaces, think a nature walk, a park, or even just opting outside, can positively impact stress.(9)
Celebrate your daily wins and keep a journal to identify those tools that help you manage stress. This will be helpful to utilize when seasons pop up that are a bit more stressful than others.
5. Build Awareness Around Your Daily Choices
Awareness is the first step toward real change. When you pay attention to your daily choices, even the ones that are a work in progress, you can start to see patterns and figure out how to make healthier decisions. This isn’t about judging yourself; it’s about noticing what’s working, what’s not, and where small tweaks can help you reach your goals.
For example, find yourself at the vending machine at 3 p.m.? That moment of awareness might show that your lunch didn’t have enough protein, fiber, or healthy fats to keep you full. A simple swap, like adding more satisfying foods to your midday meal, could be the key to staying energized and on track for the version of yourself you’re working toward.
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Bottom Line
Habits don’t form overnight. They take time, consistency, and a small investment of your energy, but they don’t require expensive programs or burning yourself out in the process.
As MyFitnessPal dietitian Joanna Gregg puts it, “Focusing on small, daily habits you can realistically stick with will benefit both your health and your happiness in the long run.”
Not sure where to start? Choose just one simple habit to focus on first: moving a little more, eating more whole foods, prioritizing sleep, managing stress, or paying closer attention to your daily choices. These are all practical, cost-free ways to begin building healthier routines.
For a little extra support, MyFitnessPal can help set you up for success. With options to customize your nutrient goals and develop personalized meal plans, you’re just steps away from starting your next healthy habit.
The post 5 Healthy Habits You Can Start Today (No Gym Required) appeared first on MyFitnessPal Blog.
