Simple Ways to Live a Healthy Lifestyle

Simple Ways to Live a Healthy Lifestyle

The phrase "healthy lifestyle" is an abbreviated definition of how you should live if you want to get the healthiest body you can, one that looks good and feels good. You know the obvious behaviors that describe someone who is healthy and takes care of themselves. A healthy person does not smoke, tries to maintain a healthy weight, eats healthy foods with lots of fruits, vegetables and fiber and, of course, exercises regularly.

Then there are other elements to add to the list. A healthy person also knows how to handle stress, gets a good quality sleep every night, does not drink too much, does not feel too much, basically does everything in moderation all the time. When you look at everything that could go into a healthy lifestyle, you can see how difficult all of those things are in our current world.

The good news is that you do not have to change everything at the same time. In fact, the trick to a healthy life is to make small changes: take more steps every day, add fruit to your cereal, drink a glass of extra water or reject that second portion of mashed potatoes with butter. One thing you can do right now to make your lifestyle healthier is to move more.

Here is why you need to move more

You know you need to exercise, but there are many excuses for not doing it. You're too busy, you do not know where to start, you're not motivated or you're afraid of hurting yourself.

Maybe you think that the exercise has to be very hard or not good enough.

Whatever definition you have about what exercise is or is not, the conclusion is that exercise is movement. Whether walking the block or running a marathon, that movement is exercise and every time you move more than you normally do, count.

It's great if you can spend time exercising, which means you're sweating, working in your target heart rate zone or doing something to strengthen your body. But it does not always have to be that way. Moderate activities such as housework, gardening, and walking can make a difference.

The benefits of moving more

The best thing about moving is that only a few minutes a day can have lasting benefits, many of which you may not even know.

Only some of the benefits include:

Reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes

Improves the stability of the joint

Increase and improve range of motion

Helps maintain flexibility as you get older

Maintains bone mass

Prevents osteoporosis and fractures

Improves mood and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression

Improves self-esteem

Improves memory in older people

Reduce stress

Even if you opt for small changes and a more modest weight loss, you can see that the benefits are still quite surprising. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that if you are overweight, reducing 5 to 10 percent of your total body weight can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.

In fact, you do not even have to have a goal to lose weight, especially if you have trouble following a program.

Why not focus on being healthy to start and worry about losing weight once you have some healthy habits under your belt?

Simple ways to move your body

You can begin the process of being healthy and now adding a little more activity to your life. If you are not ready for a structured program, start small. Every little bit counts and everything comes down to burning more calories.

Turn off the TV and computer. Once a week, turn off the TV and computer and do something a little more physical with your family. Play games, go for a walk, do almost anything that is more active than sitting on the couch.

Walk more. Look for small ways to walk more. When you receive the mail, walk around the block, take the dog to an extra outing every day or walk on the treadmill for five minutes before getting ready for work.

Do some homework Shoveling the snow, working in the garden, raking leaves, sweeping the floor; These kinds of activities may not be a strenuous exercise, but they can keep you moving while you order your home.

Rhythm while you talk When you're talking on the phone, take a walk or even clean up a little while talking. This is a great way to keep moving while doing something you enjoy.

Be careful Make a list of all the physical activities you do on a typical day. If you find that you spend most of your time sitting down, make another list of all the ways you could move more: getting up every hour to stretch or walk, walk the stairs at work, etc.

Eat well without being miserable

Eating a healthy diet is another part of the lifestyle

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