Diet and Exercise For A Better Life

There are a lot of diets and supposedly quick solutions to losing weight and improving your health. The reality is that what we eat, our level of physical activity, and other lifestyle factors determine our general level of well being. Striking a healthy balance between things is the best way to achieve any goals of weight loss, improved diet, and other lifestyle changes. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started, however, with the right attitude and expectations for results improving your diet and getting more exercise can be enjoyable.

When it comes to diet, often balance and moderation are key to eating better and keeping the fat, sodium, and sugar intake to a reasonable level. The many processed foods that make up many people's diet are high in each of these and are large contributors to obesity, high cholesterol and elevated blood pressure. Moderating the kinds and quantities of the foods you eat is an essential part of a balanced diet. This coupled with plenty of cardio-vascular activity and strength training can get you feeling better each day.

A good plan is to dedicate a couple days out of the week to prepare a wholesome meal for yourself. If you're just starting to turn your diet around this can be an excellent way to make the transition into healthier eating, and have fun in the process. Start with simple dishes with simple, fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Try cooking leaner meats like chicken, turkey, or fish instead of pork and beef. Fruit juices are good replacements for soda as well. Sugary drinks and loads of sweets need to be balanced since it's easy to get carried away and over indulge. Also, when you eat out try to order leaner menu items or salads if you're trying to cut back and watch your weight.

Regular exercise is the second part to getting healthier. A weekly fitness routine is an enjoyable way to get out and improve your health and your mood. A regular match of tennis, some pickup basketball games, jogging, hiking on local trails, or just getting out in the evening and walking are all great ways to unwind and improve your health. Setting a couple days a week aside for certain activities is a good way to approach maintaining a fitness routine. As always, make sure you don't overexert yourself, give your body time to recuperate after activity, and wear your most comfortable shoes to prevent foot pain while being active.