Some lifestyle choices can lead to or exacerbate chronic diseases. Those who don’t exercise as enough, allow themselves to become overweight, and eat unhealthy foods may find themselves with Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease or strokes, or even cancer.

We all know that even the lifestyle choices that we know affect us negatively are still difficult to change. This is especially true if you try to change your lifestyle all at once. Often, as a result of trying to change everything at once, people eventually give up on their healthy habits and resort back to the old, more comfortable ways.

This is why it is better to change your health habits one habit at a time so that you don’t become overwhelmed and give up.

Many weight-loss programs can work if they are done carefully and don’t cause the individual too much deprivation. The same is true of exercise programs. If you choose exercises that you really enjoy and gradually increase your physical activity, you have a much better chance of sticking to the program rather than becoming discouraged and quitting.

The trick to changing your lifestyle to healthy living is to begin gradually. Don’t try every trendy diet or fitness fad. Rather, do your research, consult with your health practitioners, and make sure to start off with only small challenges, not dramatic habit reversals.

Start with just these 5 changes in healthy habits for living a happier and healthier life.

Be sure to eat at least one healthy meal each day. Even if you are in the habit of eating processed foods most of the time, if you eat just one healthy and balanced meal each day, you will feed your body with good nutrition. A healthy meal consists mainly of vegetables, whole grain products or other foods with complex carbohydrates, healthy oils, and lean meats.
Watch your portion sizes. Although with a meal of healthy foods you are much less likely to feel the need to overeat, as your appetite will be more quickly satiated and the lack of simple carbohydrates (foods like pasta and breads made with white flour, potatoes, or foods high in sugar) will help to prevent cravings.

Drink a glass of water before each meal. Clean water is the best liquid for your body. Experts recommend that we drink at least 60-ounces of water per day. When you drink a full (8-ounce) glass of water before meals you will feel fuller before eating, and you won’t eat as much at the meal that follows.
Get active during your lunch break. Even if you only have a half-hour to eat lunch, it usually doesn’t take that long to eat your meal. Try eating your meal and then taking some time to do a bit of exercise before going back to your work. You should be able to take a brisk walk. Not only will this increase your energy and stop afternoon sluggishness, but it will aid in your digestive process and help burn off calories.
It really doesn’t matter what type of exercise you do as long as you choose something reasonable so that you will feel better after eating lunch. Exercising during lunch also helps decrease the stress of your job and will make the rest of your day go easier.

Try a healthy snack such as a meal replacement bar or a high-protein smoothie. Most meal replacement bars or smoothies contain a lot of good nutrition and fiber without as many calories as “junk foods”. They can help stave off afternoon hunger pangs and re-energize you for the remainder of the workday.
Keep a stash of healthy snacks in your desk, purse, or briefcase so you can grab one whenever you feel hungry. This will make it easier to avoid going to the vending machines. Try to choose meal replacements that are high in fiber and that have at least 10 to 15 grams of protein.

Exercise on a schedule. If you have a gym membership, try going there three or four times per week. Choose an activity you enjoy and make the most of it for at least a half-hour per session. This will help energize you, may build muscle mass, which not only makes you look better but speeds fat loss.
Living a healthy lifestyle is not really the challenge you may have thought it had to be. Try taking the changes slow and steady and you will come to love it for the results in your body and mind.