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10 Healthy Tips For A Fit And Healthy Lifestyle
If you’re trying to lead a healthier life, but struggle with
sticking to your goals and habits, then these 10 healthy tips can help you
improve your overall health and well-being in no time! If you’re not sure where
to start, the first step should be figuring out what motivates you to lead a
healthy lifestyle. Once you know that, it becomes much easier to take the other
steps towards living healthy and fit. A healthy diet can help your body stay
strong and active, while also helping lower your risk of developing heart
disease or type 2 diabetes.
1) Eat whole foods
The cornerstone of any healthy diet and lifestyle is eating
whole foods. You may have heard from your grandparent’s generation that you are
what you eat, and it couldn’t be more true! If you consume mostly processed
foods, chances are you aren’t getting all of your daily vitamins and minerals.
Switch to a diet rich in natural, organic foods to ensure your body is
receiving all of its nutrients.
2) Get moving
Getting active will help you burn calories, boost your
energy levels, and improve your overall well-being. One of the best ways to get
more active is to simply walk for 10 minutes every day. If you’re not able to
fit in a full 10 minutes, try taking several short breaks throughout your day.
Also be sure to check out fun activities that aren’t too difficult (or boring)
and can add some serious pep to your step—like dancing or even playing games
with friends and family!
3) Sleep well
Getting plenty of sleep is one of our best ways to help keep
your body fit and healthy. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults
get at least seven hours of sleep each night. If you’re struggling to get a
good night’s rest, consider seeing a professional to evaluate your sleeping
habits or turn off your television and laptop before bedtime. Anything that
contributes to artificial light may disrupt your natural circadian rhythm,
which can impact how long it takes you to fall asleep at night.
4) Minimize stress
Stress has been linked to a variety of chronic health
problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and depression. While
we can’t avoid stress entirely, we can minimize it through healthy lifestyle
choices.
5) Exercise regularly
Despite what some people say, exercise isn’t a means to an
end (i.e., being skinny). It’s an important part of living a healthy diet and
lifestyle. Working out will give you more energy, improve your mood,
and—yes—make you lose weight if that’s your goal, but it will also make every
other aspect of your life better. Every time you don’t exercise is one more
step away from a fit and healthy lifestyle.
6) Avoid processed foods
Processed foods may save you time, but they’re ultimately
not saving you calories. Besides, all that extra packaging is bad for both your
wallet and your waistline! So avoid processed foods as much as possible—and
focus on healthy, whole food options instead.
7) Don’t skip meals
Skipping meals might seem like a good way to save calories,
but it’s not. Skipping meals throws off your body’s hunger signals, says Elisa
Zied, RDN, author of Younger Next Week. She also says that skipping meals can
lead to overeating later on.
8) Manage your weight
Eat less, move more : It may sound simplistic, but it’s
true: The best way to achieve healthy weight loss is to maintain a calorie
deficit (i.e., consume fewer calories than you burn) through proper diet and
exercise. In order to lose one pound of fat, you must create a 3,500-calorie
deficit by either eating less or burning more calories.
9) Hydrate yourself
Water is important for more than just your bodily functions.
It can also help you feel more energetic and alert, making it easier to avoid
cravings that could throw off your healthy diet and lifestyle. If you’re
feeling sluggish, try drinking a large glass of water before snacking on some
fruit or nuts—it might be just what you need to power through your afternoon.
10) Take herbs & supplements
There are many herbs and supplements that can improve your
diet and overall health. Check with your doctor or a nutritionist to find out
which ones will be most beneficial for you. The most commonly recommended
products include probiotics, coenzyme Q10, gingko biloba, vitamin D3, turmeric
and omega-3 fatty acids. Each of these has been shown to benefit health in
numerous ways—but you should always check with a doctor before taking any
supplements or herbs.