Monday, November 24, 2008

Diet Is What Leads To a Healthy Lifestyle

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 with a proven track record, you will find it easier to stick to because it works.

Exercise does not have to be a dirty word. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, start slow and increase your activity level as you reach small goals you set for yourself. That could be something as taking the stairs rather than taking the elevator. Over time, you might decide to walk for part of your lunch break. Eventually you will probably want to join a fitness center to increase your progress. Go at a pace you are comfortable with and enjoy.

If you smoke, consider a smoking cessation program. There are medications in patch, pill and gum form that can assist you in stopping. Talking to a counselor or adopting a quit-smoking buddy has been shown to help smokers quit smoking at higher rate than trying to go it alone. Side effects of smoking include rapid heartbeat, decreased circulation, and shortness of breath and more serious chronic diseases such as herat disease, emphysema and cancer can eventually develop.

Drinking alcohol in moderation has actually been shown to benefit the cardiovascular system. However, drinking more than one or two glasses a day can lead to liver damage. Your liver is a giant filter system for your body. When the filter is clogged, the body does not function properly. Jaundice, gallstones, blood clotting difficulties, 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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