10 Things You Can Do to Live a Healthy Lifestyle

There is so much information out about healthy eating and fitness, but how do you get started?  It can be very overwhelming and discouraging to someone who wants to make changes but doesn””””t know where to start.  Some people try to incorporate so many things that they burn out or they don””””t do enough to see immediate changes – then they give up and go back to old habits.  I think this is a unfortunate result for someone who had the motivation to make some positive changes that could help them be healthy and well.

Here are 10 things you can do to start making positive changes today:

  1. Drink 6-8 full glasses of water a day.  Water contains 0 calories and helps your body stay full and satisfied.  Water can cleanse the body of toxins.  Keeping hydrated is very important when you are starting an exercise program.  You will also see an improvement in skin tone when your body is properly hydrated.
  2. Stop smoking. Nothing else to say – find a program and stop.
  3. Get up and move.  Walking is a perfect way to start feeling the benefits of an exercise program.  Take the stairs at work – park further away from the store – a little goes a long away.
  4. Find support. Tell people you are working towards a healthier life.  Accept encouragement.  Share ideas, recipes, etc with people who have similar goals as you.
  5. Look in the mirror. Don””””t be afraid to take a good, hard look at yourself – it”””’’s the best way to see how healthy changes affect the way you look.
  6. Eat a small salad or cup of healthy soup before you eat dinner. This is a good way to add veggies to your meal and reduce the temptation to overindulge in high calories main course foods.
  7. Get a good nights sleep.  The average adult functions better with 7-8 hours of sleep per night.  A good nights sleep helps boost the immune system and improves the ability to complete complex mental tasks.
  8. Get that checkup. Especially for women, those annual examines are very important for identifying changes and preventing disease.  Your Doctor can also advise you as you make the commitment to get healthy.
  9. Just breathe. Everyday, take time to sit quietly and breathe deeply for 3 to 5 minutes.  Deep cleansing breathes help the body and brain function better and relieves stress.
  10. Be good to yourself.  Everyone deserves to be healthy and well.  Be your own best friend and congratulate yourself for doing the things you know will help you have a healthy lifestyle.