A lot of people are struggling with their weight. They try all kinds of diets but nothing ever works. Most of them look for a quick fix to get in shape and end up gaining that weight back because they are doing it for the wrong reasons.
Here are 5 important things you need to know about living a healthy lifestyle:
1. MAKE A DECISION
The first thing you need to understand is that your health is the MOST important thing you can have and something you need to take care of FOR LIFE. Eating a few healthy meals and doing a few weight-loss programs is not going to KEEP you healthy. It’s an every-day-effort. Before you can make a lifestyle change, you need to be willing to make that commitment.
2. EAT WHOLE FOODS
Eat less sugar and avoid processed foods. They have an addictive effect if you haven’t already figured out why you can’t seem to get enough of your favorite dessert or why you can’t stop going for more once you popped open that bag of chips. Stop dieting to get “in shape”. Being skinny doesn’t determine that someone is healthy! Focus on adding whole foods in your every-day-diet. Complete foods are food in its most natural state like organic fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, grains, legumes, pasture-raised animal proteins (eaten in moderation or not at all) or wild-caught instead of farm-raised seafood. Learn nutrition label reading and know where your food comes from. Make a conscious choice when you eat out. You can always get healthier options at restaurants if you kindly ask.
3. DRINK WATER
Your body is mostly made up of water. Most of it is in your brain, blood and your muscle tissues. It’s important for our circulation, digestion and nutrient absorption/transportation. Water helps your body cool down, remove toxins, suppress appetite and burn fat. Often, we just mistake thirst for hunger! We need to drink AT LEAST half of our body weight in ounces each day. To get the best benefits, we need to drink three times that much. You can make it 3 weeks without food, but you can’t make it 3 days without water. Water is truly LIFE.
4. EXERCISE
Along with a healthy diet, exercising regularly will improve your body, mental and brain function. It can fight all kinds of diseases and slower or prevent Stroke, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Type 2 Diabetes, Arthritis and Osteoporosis. Exercise increases flexibility, strengthens bones and muscles and improves overall performance. You feel happier, less stressed and gain more confidence and self-esteem because exercise releases endorphins! To reap health benefits, you need to exercise for about 30 minutes a day. You don’t have to do it all at once but it can all be done by being active throughout the day doing different things like going for a jog, walking your dog, cleaning your house or playing with your kids! Incorporate weightlifting because muscles have a higher resting metabolic rate, which means you burn more calories at rest. Exercise doesn’t only have tremendous effects on your physical health but also your mental health.
5. GET THE RIGHT SOCIAL SUPPORT
With anything we try to achieve in life, we need to have social support. Encourage and educate your friends and family about taking care of their health and why it’s important to you. Surround yourself only with like-minded people that support and understand your goals. That’s the key to lead a successful and healthy lifestyle.