Tuesday, January 26, 2010

4 Steps To Better Health

Fat composition in different foods. References...Image via Wikipedia

It's possible to learn HOW to better your health in only 4 steps and this article will show you how. Each step is a bite-sized nugget of healthy living information you can actually use.

Let's get started...

Step 1: Nutritional Supplements

In my opinion, they are very necessary and very beneficial - especially when combined with healthy eating habits. It's very difficult to get all the nutrients your body needs through food alone, but combining proper nutrition with nutritional supplements is very powerful.

That being said, the one supplement everyone should be taking is a good multi vitamin/mineral. Look at it as added insurance - eating well is crucial, but now that you're also taking a multi-vitamin, you can rest assured you're getting the nutrients your body needs.

Step 2: Nutrition

Good nutrition is SO important. You are what you eat...remember that. Make a conscious effort to gradually improve your eating habits, eating more of the good foods (nuts, berries, peanut butter, olive oil, greens, chicken, whole grains, etc.) and less of the bad foods (fried food, saturated fat, fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, etc.). Reading the label of what you're eating will tell you a lot.

You may think you lack the needed will power, but you'll be amazed at what happens when you start to gradually improve your eating habits.

Step 3: Exercise

Exercise is the missing piece of the puzzle when it comes to better health. There are so many benefits of exercising, including stronger bones and improved libido- it's a no brainer to start doing it. Your goal should be to exercise 3-5 times a week with a combination of cardio exercises and strength training (but no more than 1 hour per workout session).

It's been measured that if you add 3 pounds of muscle to your body, this added muscle will burn as many calories as if you ran 1 mile. Muscle burns calories!

Step 4: Stress Management and Sleep

Stress management and getting good sleep each night round out your path to better health. Until you find a way to manage your stress, it will continue to do damage to your body. Two tips you might want to implement include prioritizing your day each morning and practicing deep breathing exercises (yes, you probably already knew this, but have you tried it?).

Getting enough sleep each night is equally important when you consider your body uses this time to repair itself. You should aim for 7-9 hours each night. Two tips you might want to implement include exercising and avoiding late night eating.

Now that you have the basics, expand on this information. Step 1 research more about Nutritional Supplements, Step 2 research more about Nutrition and so on. I guarantee after the 4 steps you'll feel more confident about reaching your health & fitness goals.



5 Tips For Keeping Active In The Winter

Since winter is here there are plenty of cold days that simply make us want to stay inside and keep warm. I don't know about you but all those days spent indoors is generally accompanied by the winter blues. Thank goodness, there are lots of things we can do to liven things up and keep ourselves active in the winter even if it is a bit blistery outside. The following five tips will help you have an active winter and finally beat the winter blues.

A thermometer showing −17°C.Image via Wikipedia

Tip #1 Yoga or Pilates
Taking a yoga or pilates class at your local gym will help you get out and about, meet new people, and even tone up those muscles! This is a fantastic way to stay active and in shape over the winter so when summer bathing suit season arrives you will be prepared.

Tip #2 Take a Bike Ride
A bike ride is fun any time of the year and can be especially enjoyable during the winter because the cool air is refreshing. Just remember to bundle up before heading out on your winter bike ride so you do not get too cold or risk overexposure to the cold weather.

Tip #3 Go for a Walk
Going for a walk is always a great way to get yourself in motion. It doesn’t matter if it is a slow leisurely walk or a brisk one you will get benefits from walking and being active. Also, walking during the winter will help you burn some of those calories you might be eating more of.

Tip #4 Weekly Meeting with Friends
Scheduling a weekly meeting with friends whether at a coffee shop or alternating friends’ homes is really a great way to stay active in winter and have a lot of fun as well. You will find yourself looking forward to each meeting with your friends.

Tip #5 Plant a Winter Garden
If you like to be active in the garden in the spring and summer then there is no reason why you should stop just because the temperature drops. A great idea to keeping active in winter is to plant a winter garden. There are plenty of things to plant no matter where you live, just do a little research on a winter garden for your regional area and you can have a really active winter.





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