We live in a society where it is easy to get distracted by our
phones or Facebook posts. A healthy lifestyle can seem like an unattainable
dream for many people. While exercise does give us our energy back, over time
we start looking at things differently and wonder if maintaining fitness isn’t
really possible. After all, there are lots of other ways to become fit. How
often have we thought to ourselves, “I could just run or hop on my bike?” Or
even “I have enough free time.”
The truth is that losing weight is not about how much you weigh
— it’s more about staying physically fit and keeping your metabolism working.
These days, losing weight comes down to doing two things: eating healthfully
and exercising consistently. Sure, cutting calories may help you reach your
goal, but it won’t get you where you want to go unless you can stay on track
for physical fitness. This is why it is so important to maintain good habits to
keep your body in shape and strong. The following tips will help you stay
motivated throughout those long winters when everything else seems cold and
distant. Continue reading below to find out which habit should be your top
priority and work on one aspect of your life to make sure you maintain your
body’s natural state.
1. EAT HEALTHILY
We often think that making healthier food choices is hard,
especially since it involves giving away a lot of our control over what goes
into our mouth. However, this mentality only makes eating unhealthy foods worse
for everyone, including your waistline. Instead of stressing over the amount of
sugar in what your kid is ordering for dinner tonight, let your partner order
what they love and enjoy each meal. If it brings them joy, then do it. Eating
right can positively influence both mental and emotional health. Plus, it is a
way to give yourself credit for making healthier choices. It has been proven
that when someone eats healthily, their mood improves, which is something worth
considering when trying to maintain overall wellness. Another reason to eat
healthy food is that it helps prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes and
high blood pressure, along with heart disease and obesity. Many diets also
include limiting alcohol consumption, though moderation is key. Choose less
sugary drinks, cut back on dairy and white sugar-sweetened beverages, and try
to avoid processed sugars from sodas. By implementing these changes in daily
life, your chances of having a healthy lifestyle will increase exponentially.
Get started today!
2. EXERCISE
REGULARLY
Exercising regularly can help improve your mood, lower
inflammation levels, and burn approximately 500 to 1,000 extra calories per
month. Exercising also raises endorphins in the brain, which fight pain and
reduce stress, which also adds to the feeling of being good. Here are some
examples of common exercises that will help boost your mood and feel your best
while working toward your goals: swimming laps
- Dancing
- Running
- Skiing
- Yoga
- Weight training
3. BE ACTIVE IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Physical activity is a great way to reduce depression and anxiety, promote positive self-image, and strengthen community ties. Whether you choose sports, walking, gardening, dancing, or any outdoor recreational activities, make positive connections with loved ones through social media channels and join local clubs to explore new hobbies. You never know who might be joining or helping you with any of these activities. Being active also gives other members in your community the opportunity to learn new skills, improve their well-being, and build community. Try becoming a member of a local gym or even volunteer your time with a charity organization that focuses on improving the environment. All of this can lead to a happier life full of friends, support, and positive energy. Join any club that interests you and start seeing results in every area of your life.
4. FIND
WAYS TO KEEP MOVING
Keeping up with daily movement requires committing to specific
times during the day. Setting aside 30 minutes of strength training before
bedtime is an effective way to maintain daily fitness. Staying active
throughout the day can be difficult without motivation but finding ways to
move during the day helps prevent injury and promotes your independence. Some
ways you can add movement into your day include using indoor cycling machines,
yoga mats, or treadmills. Consider setting alarms or having your own personal
alarm system, as this will motivate you to get moving immediately. Lastly, get
outdoors regularly and choose activities such as running, hiking, or biking
around town that will allow you to walk or cycle without needing any specific
equipment or gear. Just make sure you use sidewalks or a place where there
aren't too many cars or pedestrians. If you're feeling active, even just
getting outside for five minutes a day can improve your ability to exercise.
Set achievable goals and don't allow distractions to steal your focus. There
might be plenty of reasons for starting a routine and making healthy decisions,
but most importantly, stick to it. Do whatever works for you but don't put
yourself under too much pressure. Take care of yourself first when you can,
before focusing on others. Learn how to set realistic expectations with
confidence when it comes to maintaining your fitness and living a meaningful
life. Don't let circumstances change your plans, but instead learn to accept
where you are now and do your best to remain focused on your goals.
5. STAY MOTIVATED WITH SMALL ACTS OF KINDNESS
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle doesn't need to cost a huge
chunk of money. What this means is that small acts of kindness are incredibly
rewarding. Think of your friend who brings baked goods on vacation. They are
happy to have something they make themselves, yet they take everything they
made home and share it with you. When you reach out and buy them a coffee every
once in a while, that's kind of awesome. That's even better if they bring
cookies, chocolate, or candy for dessert. Even small gestures like these can
have a big impact on how you feel and make your efforts worthwhile. At its
core, kindness starts with thinking about people. Who do you think brings the
most happiness into your life? Maybe it's someone who constantly cooks
breakfast. Perhaps it's someone who puts up with you even though they are
stressed. Whatever the case, consider spending a few minutes thinking about
them and how they can make you feel better. Once you've done this, you'll
realize that your relationship with another person can be a real game changer
if you let it. Treat them the same way. Remember to ask for permission before
taking things a step further, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't treat people
with kindness. Be honest with yourselves but remember to always be genuine.
6. SLEEP
ENOUGH AND WAKE UP EARLY FOR SCHOOL
Sleep deprivation is common among adults. But children can
experience it just as frequently, which can lead to problems such as attention
deficit disorder (ADD) or ADHD. Not sure how long kids need to sleep? According
to Psychology Today, average night-time sleep time for an adult is 7 hours and
13 minutes for males and 5 hours and 17 minutes for females. Keeping up with
your child's schedule does not necessarily mean cancelling time for play. As
long as he/she is healthy and is able to cope with schoolwork and
extracurricular activities, it doesn't matter if you're tired. Kids need to
wake up early to attend school and have healthy meals. Children who wake before
8 am tend to have poorer grades than kids who can't sleep. Lack of sleep
increases stress hormones and lowers cognitive function, which makes it easier
for kids to struggle with academic performance. Research shows that lack of
sleep significantly affects how quickly kids absorb information. Adults who had
trouble sleeping had harder time learning and retaining information compared to
adults who slept regularly. Kids who don't get adequate rest also tend to be
overweight, which is another contributing factor for poor academic performance.
Avoiding heavy food and alcohol intake can relieve symptoms of ADD and ADHD.
Parents can also talk with their doctor about proper diet and exercise routines
for children. Talk to the teacher about strategies to get kids to sleep on time
and encourage them to complete homework when they feel tired.
7. MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES EVERYDAY
Making healthier lifestyle choices is important for a lifetime
of good health, and the easiest way to start making better choices is to simply
pick healthier foods. Food is a fundamental source of pleasure, but it is also
a powerful catalyst to make lasting behavioral improvements. People choose
their favorite menu items based on taste and quality, but many still consume
low-quality food that negatively impacts their health. One study discovered
that nearly half of participants who chose fast food had lower intakes of
fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein than those who opted for
healthier alternatives. Those who ate the least, meanwhile, consumed roughly
twice as much fat as those who ate the most. On top of this, when people
consume highly processed foods, they are likely to gain more weight over time.
You Can Help Yourself Improve Your Life
To help you prioritize your health and wellbeing, here are three simple tips that you can implement right away. First, identify the areas within your life that cause the greatest amount of strain. Are you stressed over finances? Investing in better financial management means figuring out more expensive insurance options and potentially saving more money overall. Is work piling up? Cut back on office space. Less stress can translate into fewer headaches. Have your children growing faster than you? Start investing in childcare. Taking breaks from technology and allowing children to interact face-to-face can dramatically help improve their overall mindset of education. Finally, maybe it's stressful and overwhelming to plan your weekend. Decide what you'll eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and put together menus for the week ahead.
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