If you want to look good, feel good and live longer, health
experts recommend eating a balanced diet and good old-fashioned
exercise.
If you want to look good, feel good and live longer, health experts recommend eating a balanced diet and good old-fashioned exercise.
Although it can be tempting to go on the latest fad diet and easy to watch television on the couch instead of working up a sweat, this type of lifestyle can be detrimental to your health. Fad diets are quick fix-it solutions that probably won’t keep weight off in the long term.
For healthy eating, choose a diet low in fat and cholesterol and high in vegetables, fruits and grains.
Exercise, besides helping you lose weight, can improve your health, lift your spirits, give you more energy and reduce stress. For overall fitness, experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderately intense physical activity (such as walking, cycling, swimming or yard work) on all or most days of the week.
So how do you get motivated? Remember that small changes add up, so you don’t have to tackle everything at once. Concentrate on one thing at a time and you will gradually develop a new, healthy lifestyle. Here are some tips on how to incorporate healthy nutritional and fitness changes into your daily life:
• Look ahead. Plan your meals ahead of time to avoid eating on the run and making poor food choices.
• Shop wisely. Hit the outside aisles first. That’s where the vegetables, fruits and grains are usually found.
• Order carefully. In restaurants, ask for foods that are broiled, grilled, baked or steamed instead of fried.
• Substitute healthy alternatives. For example, use lowfat yogurt instead of mayonnaise and sour cream, flavor vegetables with lemon juice and herbs instead of salt, and use two egg whites instead of one whole egg in your favorite recipes.
• Sneak extra exercise into your routine. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park at the far end of the parking lot and walk to your destination. Get up from your desk during the day to stretch and walk around.
• Do chores yourself. Mow your own lawn, rake your own leaves and carry your own groceries.
• Make exercise fun. Choose an activity you enjoy and one that fits your lifestyle. Find an exercise partner for motivation and socialization.
• Set realistic goals. If you miss a day, just get back on track the next day and don’t give up if you don’t see immediate results. Be sure to work some rest days into your schedule.
For more tips, call 1-800-638-5433 for the free Life Advice brochures “Eating Right” and “Fitness and Exercise.”
