By Shradha Sinha – May 7, 2025
Table of Contents
My Balanced Way to Get Healthier Without Guilt or Perfection
Hello, my lovely readers! Let’s be honest — getting healthier often feels like it has to come with strict rules, intense routines, or cutting out everything you love, right? But lately, I’ve learnt it doesn’t have to be that way.
Over the past few years, I’ve gained a little body fat (which I actually love and embrace), indulged a bit more in junk food, and got very used to online deliveries and eating out during the week. It became my normal — until recently, when I felt that little voice inside saying, “Mhmm. It’s time to get back to balance.”
Now, I’m not flipping my life upside down. Instead, I’m making small, doable changes, nothing extreme, but enough to make me feel more energised, clear, and connected to my body again.
Here’s what’s been helping me lately (and might help you too if you’re ready for real progress without the pressure).
1. Moving My Body — In Ways I Actually Enjoy
Right now, I’m all about home workouts — about 3 times a week, just enough to feel good without draining my energy. I roll out my mat, do some cardio to get my heart rate up, mix in a little Pilates, and grab my dumbbells for strength work. Simple, effective, and honestly? It suits me perfectly at this stage, especially because I love the ease and freedom of moving at home. I’ve also been eyeing a real Pilates class to try soon, and I’m genuinely excited about that one.
The key? Keeping it challenging enough to feel progress, but not so hard that I dread it. I learnt this from Atomic Habits by James Clear — real growth happens when your habits hit that sweet spot called the Goldilocks Rule: not too easy, not too hard, but just right. That’s when your brain stays engaged, progress feels rewarding, and those feel-good endorphins start to flow.
And beyond workouts, I’ve been walking to my office almost every day — covering at least 5,000 steps daily. I occasionally hit the traditional 8,000 to 10,000 mark, but not always, and that’s perfectly fine because it’s the movement I’m proud of, especially on those tired or hectic days when I tend to skip my workouts.
2. Cooking More — And Cutting Down on Impulsive Eats
Confession: after starting work, I slipped into the habit of relying on café food at the office and ordering online way too often. Weekdays became a cycle of eating out, and honestly, I didn’t even question it until recently.
But this past week, I’ve started doing something I hadn’t done in ages — cooking myself a healthy breakfast and even packing lunch for work. It feels surprisingly refreshing, like I’m reclaiming a bit of control over my health.
Now, don’t get me wrong — I love eating out with my people, and that joy isn’t going anywhere. But cutting down on those random, impulsive food orders? That’s a game-changing decision I’ve made.
It’s funny how even one home-cooked meal gives me a dopamine boost and motivates me to keep going.
3. Meditating Daily (Just 5 Minutes, But It Makes a Difference)
This one’s been subtle but powerful. Every day, I set aside just five minutes to meditate — sometimes when I wake up, sometimes right before I dive into work.
It clears my head, calms my nerves, and makes me feel a little more grounded before the chaos kicks in. And even just five minutes helps boost serotonin, the hormone that keeps your mood balanced and steady, and also helps to improve the quality of your sleep.
Even I used to think meditation meant sitting cross-legged for like 10 or 20 minutes. But honestly? Five mindful minutes is plenty to reset my brain and give me that clarity I need for the day.
4. Starting My Day With Simple Hydration
One small ritual I’ve stuck with for over a year now is drinking lukewarm water with a pinch of salt and a few drops of lemon juice first thing in the morning. It helps with bloating, supports digestion, and keeps my electrolytes in check, especially after sleep.
It’s tiny, but it signals to my body that we’re starting the day right. And it gives my brain that satisfying hit of being consistent with my small, daily habits.
5. Keeping It Sustainable — Not Perfect
I still have a sweet tooth and happily treat myself now and then. I have days when I skip steps, forget to meditate, or indulge more than planned. And you know what? That’s okay.
Because real health isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress — about those little steps that make you feel good in your body today, not some far-off version of yourself. And that’s the thing, true growth begins when you start caring for the version of yourself that exists right now. With every kind choice, every small effort, you’re becoming, not because you’re not enough as you are, but because you deserve to feel better, stronger, and more at home in your own skin.
I’m moving more, eating more mindfully, and cutting back on the stuff that drains me. No guilt. No extremes. Just small, loving actions that add up over time.
The Real Takeaway: Health Should Feel Good
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like you have to change your whole life to feel better — take this as your sign:
You can get healthier without extremes. You can love your body while improving it.
Think small steps:
- Move in ways that make you feel alive.
- Cook a little more. It’s both fun and healthy.
- Meditate for just five minutes to clear your mind and reset.
- And don’t forget to stay connected with the people who lift you up, and share your progress.
It’s all connected, and it all starts with habits that feel doable, not draining.
And that’s a wrap my loves, but before you go, tell us in the comments — what’s your one habit to try this week? Let’s swap ideas and cheer each other on!
Here’s to getting healthier without guilt, without pressure, and with a whole lot of love for the body you have right now.
Editor’s Note / Disclosure: This post includes an affiliate link to a product on Flipkart. If you decide to make a purchase through that link, Savvy Lifestyle 24 may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the blog!
Shradha Sinha, founder of SL 24, is a System & Process Specialist at Seven01 and an Emcee from Shillong, Meghalaya – India. Currently, she is enthusiastically exploring the world of digital creation. Through her platform, she warmly invites everyone to join her on this new journey of personal growth and discovery.
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