Contrary to popular belief, you don't need diet plans or a five hour exercise regimen to look and feel your healthiest- you just need these five simple common sense (but not always commonly known) points.
Exercise
No, you don't need to get a gym membership if you don't want to. However, everyone in the world needs exercise. Unfortunately, only one-third of American adults get regular exercise. The most common excuse of the remaining two-thirds? They don't have enough time.
The best way to battle the exercise blues, is to make it fun and amp up your every day activities. Instead of the typical weight lifting and exercise bike riding, play basketball with your kids, take your dog for a walk down a new road or just do a few laps around the mall. And if you're like the thousands of Americans who think they just don't have the time, simple things like parking a little further away or taking the elevator instead of the stairs can make all the difference.
Eat Right
The most important rule of eating correctly is to not deny yourself. If you're craving chocolate, eat chocolate. Just be sure to exercise self control. Eat two pieces of that Hershey's bar, not the whole thing. By indulging in your cravings within reason, you avoid overindulging later.
Of course you know how to eat healthy, but sometimes you slip up. The best way to avoid this is to write down everything you eat each day, particularly where someone else can read it. That way you're held accountable and you'll think before you put anything into your mouth.
Drink Water
Water is the healthy person's super drink. It keeps your body hydrated, giving you more energy to get exercise. Water keeps your skin clear and healthy. It's much less expensive than that four dollar smoothie from Starbucks every morning. It also has 100% less calories. It's more refreshing than any other drink and helps digestion. It can curb hunger and aid blood circulation. If you need even more reasons, check out Importance of Drinking Water.
Don't Over-Exert Yourself
Yes, exercise is important. Yes, it's imperative that you eat right. However, the worst thing you can do when making a lifestyle change is to change too much too quickly. If you go all out right from the beginning, you're only going to burn out and go right back to your old ways. Take things slowly and change one or two things at a time. You don't want to give up before you even start.
Get Enough Sleep
In today's fast paced society, this may be the hardest step to follow. However, it's vital to your health. It improves your immune system and the appearance of your skin. Sleep deprivation can lead to sickness, under eye circles, blemished skin, lack of energy, and poor eating. Getting a good 7-8 hours a night can ward off the evils that come with a lack of sleep.
