We tend to focus a lot on an exercise and nutrition routine, schedule or routine. And although that's GREAT, we cannot expect to stay consistent without getting our mindset in check. That may be easier said than done, but we've gathered up our 10 favorite ways to get you started on improving the habits in your life that best support your health and wellness goals. You may be doing some of them already and they are easy to implement into your already busy schedule, so stick with us on team #noexcuses!

1. DRINK YOUR WATER

Drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning kickstarts your metabolism, makes you feel more awake, and gets your day off to a refreshing start. Don't forget to keep the train moving and have your water throughout the whole day as well.

2. EAT BREAKFAST

It's called the most important meal of the day for a reason. Some people just aren't "Breakfast people" or aren't hungry first thing in the morning. We'd encourage you to change it up if you are one of those people and see what eating Breakfast can do for your energy levels, your metabolism, and your mood!

3. GET OUT IN NATURE

Vitamin D deficiency is one of the biggest contributors to lack of motivation and even depression. Make sure you are getting enough fresh air, sunlight, and time to connect with nature. You can also incorporate this tip into your exercise routine for a double whammy! Go on a walk or a bike ride instead of jumping on the treadmill. Take a nice hike or a light jog on the beach. Make it fun and it will become something you look forward to!

4. KEEP A JOURNAL

You are busy and we get it, but a gratitude journal is something that can help SO much with your mindset and determination to stick with your goals because it's a reminder of what you've already achieved and how far you've already come. Take a minute to start or end your day with a short bullet-point list of 3 things you're grateful for. Even on bad days, you will always be able to find something to be grateful for. You will begin to notice more awareness around the positive things in your life and you'll feel excited to hit and record your goals!

5. SLEEP ON A SCHEDULE

This one is simple but requires you to prioritize yourself over the next episode of that show you've been binge-watching before bed each night. Going to sleep and waking up at consistent times helps your body properly repair and rejuvenate. It also regulates the way your hormones and metabolism respond because you are giving it less of a rollercoaster to work with when you go to sleep and wake up on a routine. Another result of implementing this tip is that you will wake up feeling more rested and clear-minded.

6. TAKE TECHNOLOGY BREAKS

On so many levels, putting down your phone once in a while can really get your mind refocused on YOURSELF and what you need to do rather than on your friends' social media. It is easy to use your phone or the computer as a pacifier when we are bored, sad, or...honestly just because it's become a habit to check Facebook every 5 minutes. Make a conscious effort to break that cycle and take breaks from your technology. You'll find yourself comparing yourself to others less, you'll find that you can get more done in your day, and you will find that it's easier to stay present with the people in your life.

7. DO SOMETHING JUST FOR FUN

You've heard that laughter is the best medicine. And it's actually true! Laughing and playing, or even working on a hobby just for fun not only boosts your happy hormones but also improves your social skills and immune system. Not to mention, it burns calories, helps blood circulation to the heart, and relaxes tense muscles. Mental, physical and emotional benefits all from a good laugh each day!

8. KEEP UP YOUR SELF-CARE

Repeat after us, self care is not selfish! You NEED it and it will help you become the best version of yourself. To get yourself to do hard things, you need to become the type of person who is capable of doing those things. If your goal is to be more healthy and happy, think to yourself, what does this type of person do, think, and feel? Maybe they get regular massages, facials, and haircuts. Maybe they take bubble baths, light their favorite candle, and do their face masks religiously. This doesn't need to be time-consuming or expensive because we don't want your self-care to turn into guilt or shame for not doing something work-related or checking off another responsibility on your to-do list. Keep it simple, keep it consistent, and keep self-care as a priority!

9. REMOVE WHAT'S HOLDING YOU BACK

Nothing can kill a healthy streak like the temptation of the things that throw you off track and back to your not-so-good habits. The idea here is to remove the temptations and distractions that are not serving you. If something (or someone) is not helping you reach your goals and/or is pushing you further from them, consider removing it/them from the picture. The junk food in the back of your pantry, happy hour that gave you a headache the next day, the extra hour of video games that prevented you from sleeping...all of that adds up and counts against all the effort you're putting into your health. Make it easier for yourself.

10. DON'T OBSESS OVER THE SCALE

There is a huge difference between being motivated and being obsessed in an unhealthy way. Stepping onto the scale multiple times a day and letting it rule your every waking decision is only stressing you out and keeping you stagnant. Find other ways to measure your success. There are many non-scale victories that can help you feel those quick wins and also check the areas where you could improve. A scale won't tell you the whole story, and it often doesn't even tell you the truth. If you are finding that stepping on the scale is increasing your anxiety and you are beginning to let it affect you on a deeper level than just utilizing it as a tool, we suggest trying these things instead:

Take pictures, watch the way your clothes fit, pay attention to how your skin looks, see how your energy levels are, measure in inches instead of pounds lost, see how your strength and stamina increases, watch your blood work results, see how well-rested you're feeling, pay attention to your energy levels. These are a few more productive ways to measure your progress and success than relying on a scale alone.

We hope you enjoyed these 10 simple tips and are so excited to see how they work for you! Weight loss, wellness, and healthy habits all take practice and time. Know that you are well on your way and the fact that you are reading this now means that you are taking steps to prioritize yourself and your health.

Cheers to you and the next steps on your journey!