Getting healthy is about changing your everyday lifestyle. You do not have to make big changes to feel healthier, however. Small changes can make a huge difference in the way you feel and your overall health. Making a conscious effort to eat better and exercise regularly can get you on the right track.
Healthy Kitchen
Get rid of tempting junk food and fill your kitchen with nutritious foods that will help you make healthy food choices. Stock your kitchen with lean meats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. Eating fresh will help reduce the sodium, saturated and trans fats and calories you put into your body.
Cook at Home
Cooking your meals is the perfect way to monitor what types of foods you are putting into your body and how much. Often times, restaurants add extra salt and oils to their meals, which results in more sodium and unhealthy fats and increases health risks such as high blood pressure. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, healthy adults should not consume more than 2,300 mg of sodium a day. Prepare a balanced meal that includes a protein, carbohydrate and fat. For example, prepare 4 oz. of grilled chicken, half a cup of whole-wheat pasta and grilled asparagus using olive oil. This meal is the correct serving size and is high in fiber, protein, low in fat and nutrient-dense.
Break a Sweat
Exercising on a regular basis will help promote a healthy heart and burn calories. Cardio activities such as running, hiking, biking, swimming and even dancing will help you scorch calories while engaging the large muscles of your body. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, you should aerobically train five days a week for 30 minutes a day. Daily exercise will reduce the risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and even help reduce stress.
Give Me Strength
Building strength in the body is important to overall health. The more muscles you have, the more calories your body is able to burn. Strength training using your own body weight, free weights or even machines will help build muscle in the body. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, you should do eight to 12 repetitions of eight to 10 strength-training exercises twice a week. Focus on large muscle groups such as legs, shoulders, chest, back and core.
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