Being conscious of your health, diet and fitness is not just for people who have a weight problem but for everyone who wants to be energetic and stay younger for longer. There are several ways to incorporate exercise and a sensible diet into your life. There’s no need to go out of your way to join a gym. You can reach optimum health by monitoring what you eat and how much you exercise from the comfort of your own home.
Here are some benefits of exercising;
1. It is the easiest way to maintain and boost your metabolism
2. Studies have shown that exercise release ‘feel good’ hormones and can increase self esteem.
3. Exercise helps to reduce and delay the appearance of ageing.
Now don’t go and participating in a marathon right away, if you’ve never done one before. If you’ve never worked out, it’s best to increase the intensity of your workout gradually. Endurance cannot be built overnight. Increasing the frequency of your workouts is also important.
Workouts are pointless without a sensible diet.
You should look for guidance when it comes to planning your diet program. The reason most people find dieting frustrating is that they don’t know what their doing. Getting help from a professional, i.e. a dietitian, doctor or book is a great start.
Include all food groups in your diet
Carbohydrates – wholemeal/ wholewheat bread, potatoes, bran, cereal, rice
Vitamins & minerals – fruits, vegetables, dairy foods, oily fish. Make sure to choose fruit and vegetables that have a strong colour.
Fiber – Fruit, fruit juice, oats, vegetables, potatoes, sweet potatoes, psyllium husks.
Fat (mono and polyunsaturated) – oily fish such as mackerel, salmon, tuna, olives, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds.
Get Rid of Vices
Some vices need to go when it comes to becoming more healthy. Most people smoke and drink. Smoking has been proven to cause lung cancer and other diseases as well complications for women giving birth. Excessive drinking has also shown to do the same. A drink with friends once in a while won’t do you much harm. The occasional glass of wine, in fact, has been found to provide antioxidants that help to fight heart disease. Moderation is the key.
For people who don’t smoke, it is best to stay away from people who do since studies have shown that second hand smoke increases the risk of cancer.
Health, diet, fitness. The key to living a longer, healthier life. What more? You’ll look great and have more energy than ever!