Good Exercise & Diet Plan

Overview

Eating healthy on a regular basis and exercising can reduce stress, improve your physical health and make you happier. It's essential that you pick the right exercise and diet plan for yourself. Don't choose a crash diet in order to lose extreme amounts of weight fast, because most people who engage in crash, fad diets end up gaining the lost weight back after they quit the diet. Those diets are extremely hard to maintain and can be seriously detrimental to your health.

Step 1

Seek the advice of your primary care physician. Schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss exercise and diet plans, especially if you have a specific medical condition.

Step 2

Jot down everything you eat for three days in a row in a notebook. Keep the notebook with you at all times, so you don't miss any meals or snacks. On the fourth day, calculate how many calories you're consuming on a daily basis.

Step 3

Go to the American Cancer Society's website and calculate how many calories you should be consuming on a regular basis. You can find out how many calories you should be eating to maintain your weight and to lose weight.

Step 4

Start eating the right amount of calories for your height and weight.

Step 5

Eat at least five fruits and vegetables per day. To make sure you're getting enough fruits and vegetables, eat at least one serving at every meal and snack. Also, eat a small salad with a variety of vegetables before dinner each night. Stay away from creamy salad dressings, because they're packed with calories and fat.

Step 6

Stop drinking soda and juice throughout the day. Start your day with a cup of green tea or orange juice and then stick to water for the rest of the day.

Step 7

Make healthy meals at home instead of picking up fast food or eating out. Search the web for a few new healthy recipes and try them out on the weekends. Add the ones you like into your regular diet.

Step 8

Get a pedometer and aim for 4,000 steps per day. Park further away from work, walk on your lunch break and take the stairs.

Step 9

Find exercise activities that you enjoy doing and do them regularly. According to the Harvard Health Publications, there are many activities you can participate in and burn calories, such as Frisbee, golfing and bowling. Get your heart rate up with cardio at least three times a week and incorporate weight lifting into your weekly routine.