With all the diet plans, high-priced exercise equipment & supplements, it's sometimes tough to keep a healthy lifestyle. We've put together a list of 7 easy things you can do to improve your health. Trying to run 5 miles a day, eating only low fat foods or drinking 8 glasses of water a day is worthless if you quickly get burnt out and give up altogether. Staying healthy isn't about major changes or instant gratification, it's about making small sustainable choices that improve your health over time. My hope is that you'll find at least a thing or two on this list that you can actually put into action!
Fiber. Why?
Fiber
is a magical little nutrient. Beyond the obvious benefits of fiber, it
also helps control blood sugar, aids in weight loss, lowers cholesterol
and even prevents colorectal cancer! Fiber basically lets your body work
more, um, efficiently. The easiest way to get the right amount of fiber
(about 35g per day) is a daily shake, or a vitamin, rather than relying
solely on your food intake.
Fishtastic
Fish really is an
amazingly helpful addition to your diet. It's really low in saturated
fat and high in omega-3 fatty acids, making it a best friend to your
heart. However, you can't go to the local fast food joint, order a fried
fish sandwich and call it a day. Fresh salmon or other fish with some
lemon pepper seasoning and a dab of olive oil, baked, is crazy tasty and
very good for you. The key, as with anything, is moderation. 2-3 times a
week is plenty. Any more than that and it can be too much of a good
thing.
Move! Just 15 Minutes a Day!
Jog or run or
whatever else you can do to get moving. I even have a friend that uses
Xbox kinect for just 5 minutes every morning to get her day started.
Again, sustainability is the key. Find something you actually enjoy
doing, and don't go all out and over-do it. Start with just 15 minutes a
day. It won't burn off 100 lbs if that's what you're looking for, but
it's a great way to maintain your weight, improve your health and even
better your mood.
Get out!
Meeting new people, having
stimulating conversation and establishing friendships may have more to
do with mental and physical health than anything else on this list. With
sites like meetup.com, you not only have an easy way to meet people
that are themselves looking to meet people, but you have an easy way to
meet people that are interested in the exact things you are! From
finding a group to go kayaking with, to a night out on the town, you can
almost certainly find some people looking to do the same thing you are.
It's definitely an easier option than wandering aimlessly down the
street hoping to run into someone who likes what you do and is looking
to hang out, and a lot less awkward. Another great article on this at
Forbes.
Brush and Use Mouthwash. Twice a Day.
Don't roll
your eyes yet. I know you've heard this a million times in your life.
It's in this list because it's so important. Keeping your teeth from
turning black and falling out is definitely a plus, but cutting down
your risk of heart disease and cancer is the main reason for sticking
with it. The cleanliness of your mouth can significantly affect your
lifespan and overall health.
Don't Skip Breakfast!
Like
many people, I'm not particularly hungry in the morning and had skipped
breakfast for quite a few years. You don't have to eat a full-on cooked
breakfast. A simple snack such as a fruit bar or protein shake is a
great way to get your morning going. I noticed quite a difference in
thought clarity and appetite throughout the day once I started taking in
some calories before rushing off to the office. One thing to watch out
for though, is the change in appetite it can cause. Whereas you normally
would just wait till lunch to eat, when you eat breakfast, you tend to
be hungry by mid morning. A light snack such as some low sodium pretzels
or dried fruit is a perfect way to make it to lunch without starving
yourself and going overboard later.
Take it Slow!
One
very important thing to remember when following these tips, or any other
diet or lifestyle changes is not to change too much at once. Not only
can it shock your body and negatively effect your health, but you'll
usually burn out very quickly and stop altogether. A good example is all
the new years resolutions made. The vows to hit the gym everyday or
quit eating out are usually abandoned by February, putting you right
back where you started. Take it easy, and get the satisfaction from
sticking with it. Stay healthy, be happy!
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