Follow these 10 simple rules to stay fit and healthy
The majority of us perceive fitness and health as the short-term goals. To stay fit and healthy, it takes long-term, lifestyle changes.
Some people starve themselves for weeks to get ready for the bikini season, but then end up gaining more pounds each year.
A modern lifestyle usually consists of lots of binge eating, tons of work, lots of television, and minimal exercise. No wonder obesity is a huge problem these days.
If you strive to stay fit and healthy regardless of the season and year while still eating delicious food, you have to make those two goals long term.
Being healthy, and slim and trim isn’t as hard as you think. Yes, it does require a little extra focus, discipline, and habits, however, it’s best to cultivate your goals once than each year.
If you’re looking to transform your mind and body this year, follow these crucial rules to stay fit and healthy.
1. Take baby steps
You can’t just start eating healthy overnight, otherwise, you will end up overeating the next day.
If you believe that a healthy lifestyle and a healthy weight are your most challenging goals, you already set yourself up for the disappointing results.
Failures occur when people have a messy mind and a messy life.
Now that you know your goal, divide it into small baby steps.
Let’s say you want to start eating healthier. Instead of starving yourself and loading yourself with veggies and fruit, think of the baby steps you can take.
First, detox your pantry and fridge and throw out all the unhealthy stuff you have.
Then, gradually incorporate healthier foods into your meals.
2. Move your body
You don’t have to spend hours in the gym to stay slim and trim, but moving your body during the day is critically important for your health and body shape.
Aim to walk more, take stairs instead of elevators, and do some stretches or squats while waiting for your coffee maker or while cooking dinner.
Also, clean your house with the help of a broom and a dustpan. Cleaning is a great workout and a cleaner and thus healthier house at the same time.
3. Get your heart pumping
Moving the body is essential, but a 20-minute full-body workout remains one of the most effective ways to stay fit.
Choose any heart-pumping workout, like running, tennis, swimming, and jogging, and stay consistent.
Not only will this habit help you get in shape, but will also promote your heart health and overall well-being.
A workout is also an excellent and quick way to banish stress, which is one of the major triggers of all the diseases.
4. Plan your meals
When you are trying to switch to a healthy diet, temptations become even more intense.
Plus, many excuses appear of nowhere that give you a green light to unhealthy meals.
Your busy lifestyle probably doesn’t allow you to spend each day cooking. Plus, it’s so tricky to come up with a healthy dinner at the end of the day when all you can think about is bath and sleep.
The way out is planning and cooking your meals in advance.
You’ll avoid all the temptations and won’t have to worry about what to eat for dinner without extra calories and overeating.
5. Pack your lunch and snacks
Save your money, improve your health, and maintain a healthy weight by packing your own lunches and snacks.
There are lots of ideas online so you’re less likely to feel bored with your snacks.
If you want to be healthy and fit, invest in a pretty lunchbox and fill it with wholesome foods each day.
6. Reduce your meat consumption
If you don’t feel like becoming a vegetarian or vegan, you can at least reduce your meat consumption to a minimum.
A regular intake of meat causes blood pressure spikes and stimulates the growth of plaque in the arteries.
As a result, your risk factor of cardiovascular disease gets increased.
Moreover, meat consumption stimulates the growth in weight, leading to obesity.
7. Meditate each day
It’s not hard to find 5 or 10 minutes for meditation, but these minutes will greatly contribute to your overall health.
Meditation aids in fighting stress and anxiety, making you feel more relaxed, happier, and slimmer.
When you’re relaxed, you’re less likely to binge eat. You can combine your meditation session with yoga for a double effect.
8.Prioritize healthy sleep
Getting a few hours of sleep and staying up late each day doesn’t give your body an opportunity to reset for the next day.
Sleep deprivation usually results in feeling low energy, poor memory, being irritable, drowsy, and developing more serious conditions.
Getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep is a must.
Not only does it help to avoid late-night snacking, but also helps your mind to make healthier choices the next time you’re about to eat fast foods.
9. Stay hydrated
Dehydration causes weight gain, digestive issues, and chronic fatigue.
Water also helps in so many ways when it comes to weight loss. It helps to prevent overeating and gives you more energy for exercise.
10. Ditch dieting
With a huge variety of weight-loss diets, some people become obsessed with dieting, desperately trying to drop weight and keep it off.
DASH, Atkins, Whole30, Paleo, and elimination diets do have some benefits, but they cause stress and place tons of pressure on your shoulders.
Ditch dieting and just eat healthy food. Practice portion control and stay away from the foods that set you back. You’ll feel a huge difference.
If you need guidance, I highly recommend Noom. You can get a 14-day trial for $1 here to see how you like the program or read more about my experience on Noom and why I love it.
Must-Know 10 Simple Rules to Stay Fit and Healthy Final Thoughts
It’s simple to stay fit and healthy when you’re committed to a healthy lifestyle.
These are just the major rules and there are many others that could help you.
Once you decide you truly want to live a healthy and long life, you’ll need to make hard choices and avoid excuses.
Instead of munching on that burger today, promising that you’ll start eating healthier tomorrow, eat something healthy that will ensure a happier future.
