Healthy Habits Means A Healthier Body

No matter where you live, whether it’s Calgary, Canada, or any other place in the world, getting fit and healthy doesn’t happen overnight. You don’t suddenly change from an overweight, chain-smoking, sedentary individual who huffs and puffs getting up to get a snack to a slim, trim fit individual. It takes making lifelong changes and sticking with them. In other words, it means developing healthy habits that you do every day, not just occasionally or a week before you want to look and feel your best.

You need to get active to be fit.

Getting up off that couch and shutting off the latest trending NetFlix series is a start. You can start with a program of regular exercise. Making your workout an integral part of your day should be a priority. How do you do that? Schedule your workout in at the same time each day, whether it’s the first thing in the morning, during your lunch break or after you get off from work, make it the same time. Why? Because after several weeks, you’ll automatically workout at that time, without even thinking about it. That’s when it becomes a habit and you’ll feel like something is missing if you don’t workout.

Start eating healthier.

You need more than just regular exercise to lose weight and be your fittest. What you eat is just as important, if not more important. There’s a saying, “you can’t out-exercise a bad diet, ” which is absolutely true. Not only does a healthy diet reduce your caloric intake, so you’ll lose weight, it also ensures that you get all the nutrients you need. You can’t build a healthy body without the right nutrition. Eating healthy starts by giving up food with added sugar and those that are highly processed. Start by giving up those until it becomes a habit.

Getting adequate hydration, both during the summer and winter is important.

Make it a habit to drink more water. Even mild dehydration can cause headaches, muscle cramps and a dry, sticky mouth that leads to bad breath. It can also make you hungry for sweets, since the liver needs water to help release glycogen and helps boost your energy. If you are dehydrated, you’ll notice that you have a craving for sweets. Having a bottle of water on hand and sipping it throughout the day is one way. If you don’t like plain water, try some herbal teas or infused water that has a light taste.

• Get adequate sleep. Sleep is important for overall health, but it’s also an important component of fitness. Studies show that lack of sleep can cause your body to overproduce the hunger hormone and diminish the production of the hormone that makes you feel full, so you’ll eat more.
• Keep healthy snacks ready in the refrigerator. Make it a point to have fresh fruits and vegetables cut up and ready to eat. You’ll be more likely to grab a healthy snack that way.
• Make an effort to go beyond just regular exercise. Adopt a more active attitude toward life. Park further from the door when you go to the grocery. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. When possible, walk to your destination.
• Learn to procrastinate where it counts. Do you smoke? Have a few too many alcoholic beverages? Find you sit and watch TV too often? Postpone your next cigarette or drink if you’re not ready to quit. People often do both out of habit, rather than desire. Do one more thing before you watch your next program.

For more information, contact us today at Jari Love