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7 Ways to Start Your Healthy Active Lifestyle Today ! |
1. Move Your Body
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given
a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your
kids; toss a ball with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is
not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments
of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance
class or tai chi or kickboxing. Any Exercise is Better than None !
2. Lower Your Fat Intake
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e., pork,
bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage
cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich
meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited
amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat
free cheeses and mayonnaise. But beware of "Fat Free" packaged
foods, since they often contain huge amounts of sugar, which can be worse than
the fat.
3. Take Care of Your Teeth
Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as
likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal
disease.
4. Fight Stress
Often you can stop stress from starting... for example: don't
procrastinate... do the things you like least or that are most stressful first,
then they are done. Some stress reduction techniques
recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day
doing something you like. (i.e., Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a
park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing
music; watch a funny movie; get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate). And
wow, wouldn't you know: stretching and exercise can help reduce stress too !
5. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon
General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been
reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a
surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence?
It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your
children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. If it
was easy, everybody would be doing it.
6. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can
help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health
problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Although drinking can seem
to help reduce the effects of stress, excessive drinking actually decreases the
body's ability to cope with stress.
7. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There's a definitive connection between living well and healthily and having a
positive outlook on life.
(Always consult your doctor before beginning any new exercise program.)