There has never been a time in history like there is now. We are able to live better and longer than ever before. The advances in technology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and knowledge about the body has lead people to living longer and having better quality of life. Sadly with all these advances we still have an outstanding number of obesity and health issues plaquing us. Today is your day to make a change! If you are ready for a change here are some simple habits you can start implementing today to move forward to a healthier lifestyle.
Sometimes it can take a person to hit rock bottom before they decide they need to make changes in their lives. If you have decided you are frustrated and want to make changes I recommend making small changes. Many people when faced with frustration can make drastic changes and some can stick to these changes long term. Most people are not able to keep up with the drastic changes so this is why I recommend you make small changes. Here are three healthy habits you can start today. When you are ready build upon these habits so you can continue to grow. These are habits that I have implemented in my life and they are working!
Healthy Habit #1 Practice healthy eating
A healthy eating plan incorporates fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low fat milk products, variety of healthy proteins such as lean meat, seafood, poultry, legumes, seeds and nuts. It also includes low saturated fats, monitoring salt and sugar intake and watching your caloric intake. A well rounded eating plan can help you watch your waist line and keep you heart healthy. A great way to get started is my tracking your daily food intake for a few days without changing your habits. This is a great way to see where you are and were you can make changes. Once you have tracked, you can start to incorporate small changes. Start adding fruit as a snack, swap out chips for vegetables. A good diet will improve all aspects of your life so start small and build upon those changes.
Healthy Habit #2 Increase your water intake
The body requires water to function. Water helps regulate digestion, lubricate the joints, remove toxins, regulate body temperature and blood circulation. Throughout the day you are losing water by sweating, urine and bowel movements and perspiration. This is why it is vital to make sure you are keeping your body hydrated. Often times when you feel hungry it is actually your body needing water. Increased water consumption can also aid in weight loss by filling you up and keeping you full. So how much water should you be drinking? That depends on your body, your activity levels, size and weight. It is different for everyone. The general saying is drink eight 8-ounces of water a day. Some ways to increase your water intake is by adding flavor enhancers or adding fruits and infusing them into your water.
Healthy Habit #3 Move more
Something I struggle with is moving more. I am bad at making myself exercise. Thankfully, there are some easy ways to add more movement into your day. One way I accomplish this is by going for a walk on my lunch break. I also will park farther away from a building to make sure I have to walk. Some other great ways to increase your movement are take the stairs and avoid the elevator, walk your dog (they will appreciate it), go for a walk with a friend or spouse, talk and walk (while talking on your cell phone walk around).
Always remember small changes add up to big changes! By slowly adding healthy habits into your life you are on your way to better health. Start small and build upon your changes. This way you will not become overwhelmed and have a better chance to stay on track. Keep a journal and log your progress so you can see how the changes are affecting your life and health.
Thanks for reading!
– Rebekah
Rebekah Taylor 
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