Thursday, October 23, 2008

Diet Is First Step To a Full and Healthy Life

Living a healthy lifestyle generally means eating a balanced diet, participating in a moderate exercise program, limiting alcohol consumption, not smoking and maintaining a normal weight. It may sound daunting to most people who are limited by job and family commitments, time constraints or simply lack of initiative. Making sure your body is in good health does not mean you must be a slave to food and exercise. Small changes in lifestyle can have a big impact.

A healthy diet is important to all of us but when you need to lose weight choose one of the top 10 diets. Trying the latest fad diet only to find it doesn't work and moving to another plan will end up having you putting weight on rather than losing any. By choosing a low diet plan that is proven to work you will find it easier to stick to because it works.

Excercise doesn't have to be a dirty word. If your lifestyle is sedentary, start slowly and increase your activity level as you reach small targets you set for yourself. That could be something as taking the stairs rather than taking the elevator. Over time, you might decide to take a walk as part of your lunch hour. Eventually you may want to join a fitness center to increase your progress. Go at the pace you enjoy and are comfortable with.

If you are still a smoker you need to get on a cessation program. There are medications in pill, patch and gum form that can assist you in stopping. Getting help by finding a quit smoking buddy or talking to a counselor have both been proven to improve your chances of quiting smoting. Side effects of smoking include rapid heartbeat, decreased circulation, and shortness of breath and more serious chronic diseases such as cancer, emphysema and heart disease can eventually develop.

Drinking alcohol in moderation has actually been shown to benefit the cardiovascular system. However, consuming more than a glass or two a day can cause liver damage. The liver acts as a giant filter system of the body. When the filter gets clogged, your body will not function properly. Blood clotting difficulties, Jaundice, gallstones, organ failure and death can result when the liver is compromised.

Knowing your body mass index (BMI) can help you calculate what a healthy weight is for your body type. You can calculate your BMI by dividing your weight by the square of your height or go online and use a BMI calculating tool. Regulating your diet and adding health fitness weekly can help stabilize your weight.

You may have let yourself go. Your body feels sluggish and you have no energy. You may have health issues that run in your family. What should you do? Adopt a healthy lifestyle. Add healthier food choices to your diet gradually. Make health fitness part of your daily routine. Stop smoking and drink a glass of red wine with a meal. To maintain a normal weight, eat right and increase your activity levels. The lifestyle goals you set for yourself are that much closer when you make small changes over a period of time.

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