Simple Ways to Get Healthy

Contrary to popular belief, getting healthy or, conversely, remaining healthy, is really not all that difficult. Even if you’re overweight, have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc, reversing these potentially damaging health hazards does not have to be a monumentally life changing event, and can in fact happen with only a modicum of effort. This article will highlight some tips on how to get healthier without making huge life-changing decisions.

First and foremost, the best way to get healthier is to gradually change your diet. This does not mean that you have to give up all the foods you love you just have to practice moderation. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, protein and whole grains is essential, and while the bulk of your diet should include these items daily, occasionally having a piece of cake or some pizza will certainly not kill you. The key is moderation. Yes, you should avoid certain things, such as sugary, empty calorie-filled sodas and most processed food, but one Coca-Cola every once in awhile is definitely ok. If making such a drastic change is difficult, gradually weaning yourself off these items will make it a much easier process.

Supplementing your diet with moderate exercise is essential. Now, this does not necessarily mean you have to devote one to two hours a day at the gym. Adequate exercise can be obtained through something as simple as a walk around the block after dinner. If you lead a busy life and don’t have time to exercise, taking the stairs on a daily basis instead of the elevator, or utilizing your lunch break to go for a walk or even go to the gym for a half hour can be just as effective. Not only will it help keep you healthy, but it will help keep you energized throughout the day.

In some cases medication may be required to reverse damage that has been caused by years of unhealthy eating habits and little to no exercise, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Beyond this, little changes made daily will eventually lead to new habits that can lead to an overall healthier, happier you.

More great health tips can be found here!

Simple Calorie Cutting Tips for a Busy Lifestyle

Let’s face it: not everyone has the time to follow a healthy lifestyle. Long work days, a family, and the lure of a quick meal make eating healthy and getting regular exercise extremely difficult. As a result, people get comfortable with their lifestyles and simply accept what doesn’t have to be the inevitable. There are a number of simple steps that can be taken throughout the day to help promote a healthy lifestyle, and best of all, the age old excuse of “I just don’t have the time” does not work.

One of the cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle is getting adequate amounts of exercise. Due to the hectic lifestyle of many individuals, finding time to squeeze in a trip to the gym or walk around the block is difficult. This is especially troublesome for those who are particularly sedentary in their professional lives, such as computer programmers, bank tellers and the like. If this is a concern for you, there are a number of things you can do to squeeze in some light to moderate exercise throughout the day. For example, taking the steps instead of the elevator or, if you live close enough, walking to work. If you’re allowed fifteen minute breaks or smoke breaks, utilize them not to smoke but to take a leisurely stroll around the office or around the block. Finally, if you have a long lunch break (an hour or more), spend that time at the gym as opposed to a restaurant or the break room.

Another major cause of unnecessary weight gain or a major factor in the prevention in weight loss is empty calories. Long days often require excess consumption of sodas, coffee and other sugary energy drinks. Eliminating all of these (save for a cup or two of coffee in the morning) can eliminate several hundreds of calories a day. Even diet sodas or calorie-free drinks can contribute, as all of that extra sugar can make losing weight far more difficult. Instead, simply consume water throughout the day. Not only will help you feel fuller and thus prevent you from overeating, but it will make you feel better in the long run and contribute to an overall healthier you.

Another major factor to an unhealthy lifestyle is the tendency to make unhealthy food choices. Whether at work or on the go, the lure of fast food or huge portions at gourmet restaurants to entertain a client are major problems in the fight against obesity. Thankfully, there are simple and easy ways to combat this. The first step is to bring your lunch to work with you. Not only will it help you save money, but you’re more likely to make healthier food choices. If you find yourself in a situation where you have to go out to eat, a quick jaunt to the supermarket for some low-fat soup or fruit can help put the kibosh on any cravings you might have. If you end up at a restaurant to entertain a client, simply order low-fat fare, skip the alcohol, and immediately ask for a doggie bag to take home half the meal.

In the end, just because you lead a busy lifestyle does not mean you have to sacrifice your health. If you’re having trouble following these simple tips to help you get into shape, consult with your physician or a dietitian, who can offer you more advice on how to become a healthier individual, both inside and out.

More great diet tips can be found here!

How to Watch the Waistline at Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and for most this means a vast spread of greasy turkey, mashed potatoes and chocolate pies. Often coinciding with this smorgasbord of holiday treats is an ever-expanding waist line, the end result of ignoring that signal from the stomach to the brain that says “put down the fork!” But don’t think you have to forgo these tasty holiday treats in an effort to preserve your washboard abs or hourglass figure, as there are a variety of ways to help prevent those extra pounds from accumulating during the holiday season and even keep them off for years to come.

If you’re cooking Thanksgiving dinner for your family and are worried about excessive snacking of all the wonderful foods you’re preparing, a simple fix is chewing a piece of gum while cooking. This can help stave off cravings and keep your mind occupied at the same time. In addition, when preparing recipes, substitute items such as real butter for low-fat margarine and sugar substitutes instead of real sugar. The taste difference is negligible if there at all, and the end result is a much healthier, significantly less-fattening meal.

When the time comes to indulge, the best way to cut out unneeded calories is portion control. According to Connie Diekman, MEd, RD, it is best to focus on holiday-specific foods that you would not normally consume throughout the year. Try and avoid the temptation of a second helping, and remember that Thanksgiving is the time for leftovers, so all of the wonderful food you just can’t get enough of will be available for days to come (unless your entire extended family has come to visit!) If you feel you must have a second plate of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pie, go for a stroll around the block or, conversely, exercise the morning of and work up a caloric deficit. Eating a hearty breakfast in the morning can help, as it will not only give you energy throughout the day but it will keep you full long enough to prevent a second helping from working its way onto your plate.

Keeping the weight off during the holidays is no easy task, but with a little hard work, determination and ingenuity, you can keep that waistline slim and that heart healthy during the holiday season. More information concerning staying slim during Thanksgiving can be found on WebMD, while many great holiday health tips can be found here!