Tuesday, June 30, 2009

The importance of Healthy Living - Fitness and Nutrition!

Today, everyone is so busy that one skip food due to less time. Well, we live in a world where not many of us have time to keep healthy or stay fit. Is it really that important to eat healthily? The answer to that question is yes! And it is much easier than you would first think!

Before I proceed, I would like to add that the first step to living a healthy life is to think positive. The next is the need to motivate your self to take part in any fitness-style activity. It is all very good and well saying, “I will take up fitness as part of my every-day routine,” but you need to actually motivate yourself to do it.

Yes, exercising is only way in which you can obtain a healthy living. Eating correctly and providing your body with right levels of nutrition is also good. In today’s society, so many people just simply do not have the time or money to buy and prepare fresh, healthy food everyday. Living a healthy lifestyle is very important in older people and is positively related to a reduced risk and a delay in the deterioration in their health. It slows down the aging process and helps the older generation stay strong and healthy. Living a healthier lifestyle also slows down the disease development and contributes to a longer life.

Being nutritious is not as hard as you may think. Changing a few simple things will do you the world of good. What you can do is - Cut down on sugar in your tea; change from butter to margarine, I have started though, even something as small as having low-fat versions of drinks and condiments will make a difference.

One of the greatest pleasures in life is food.

In standard diets favourite foods are banned. The defeat of diet is due to the deficiency that leads to intense desire and cheating. To stay healthy and have a balanced diet it is sensible to take in a sensible amount of the favourite food. Food should be eaten tastily and enjoyably. Blindly following a diet pattern designed without studying an individual’s health status could be even more harmful. So better be sensible in selection and take good advice from an expert.

Now the question is why is good nutrition important? I have got the answer. Good nutrition is important for everyone as healthful diets, it not only help children grow, develop, and do well in school but also enable people of all ages to work productively and feel their best. What people eat can also help reduce the risk for chronic diseases, such as heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes, stroke, and osteoporosis, which are leading causes of death and disability among all over the world.

Eating right can reduce the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol, which increase the risk of disease. Well, good nutrition provides energy, raw materials, etc. The foods you eat provide the energy your body needs to function just like you need to put fuel in your car or recharge your cell phone battery; your body needs to be fed energy-providing foods every day.

Here are some Health Fitness Tips:

1. Don’t Smoke - It is true that smoking has been associated with an increase in metabolism it is a drug!! However it is a dangerous, addictive drug and surely the tiny effect it has on your metabolism is outweighed by the huge risk of dying from lung cancer.

2. Drink More Water - You can live three weeks without food, However you can only live for three days without fluid, just think 3 days and its all over, one could suggest that water is fairly important! The fluid in your body is responsible for helping to keep every system of your body in good working order, including all of your metabolic processes. The fluid in your body will also ensure that you can move well and be active.

3. Eat a Variety of Foods - For protection from the majority of illnesses such as heart disease and cancer you need a variety of foods that deliver that mix of nutrients and minerals. Aim to eat different colour fruits and vegetables. Try to eat a different food each month.

4. Relax for 20 Minutes a Day - Relaxing for at least 20 minutes a day will go a long way to reduce blood pressure and your reactions to stress. Sit or lie somewhere comfortable, breathe slowly in and out of the nostrils breathing deeply into your abdomen. Say HAM as you inhale and SA as you exhale. These suggestions are charged with positive energy and will help you control your emotions. Try once a day for fantastic results.

5. Floss Every Day - Flossing your teeth every day is the best way to prevent gum disease and protect your heart. Gum disease, which is left untreated, can lead to inflammatory reactions in the body that can trigger heart disease and stroke.

6. Drink More Tea - Try drinking more tea instead of coffee to help protect your body from damaging effects of free radicals. Tea is a rich source of antioxidants that play a big role in protecting against some cancers and cardiovascular disease.

7. Get Active - Aerobic activity not only burns calories but also increases your metabolism and can keep it elevated for several hours after a workout. You don’t need to spend hours each day on the treadmill or bike to reap the benefits. Exercising aerobically for as little as 20 minutes, three to five days a week will make a big difference. Extra movement throughout the day is also essential, take the stairs instead of the lift, lose the remote and move at every opportunity you can.

8. Get More Sleep - Lack of sleep changes your hormone levels and capacity to metabolize carbohydrates so less sleep = slower metabolism. Studies have revealed that deep sleep causes cell repair and cell growth, which will speed up the metabolism and burn calories. So aim to get at least eight hours sleep a night.

9. Eat More Protein - Protein stimulates the major brain chemical dopamine which keeps us alert, try chicken or tuna salads for lunch. Go for complex carbohydrates rather than white flour and sugar, as they will provide a sustained energy source as opposed to a quick hit. Another reason to leave simple carbohydrate out of the diet is that they have a negative effect on your skin and how it ages. The more sugar that is in the body the more you force a chemical reaction causing sugars to attach to proteins and this is very detrimental to your skin.

So, all I can say is Eat healthy to stay healthy. It is well said – A healthy mind in a healthy body.

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