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In 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults, 18 years and older, were overweight. Of these, over 650 million were obese. Most of the world’s population live in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight. That sounds scary, right?
Do you know just how healthy are you? Do you have a healthy diet? Do you drink enough water? Do you get enough sleep? If you don’t know or you’re not really sure, then these tips are for you!
Good health isn’t just about eating healthy and getting enough sleep. It’s about having a positive attitude and living a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your body and your mind.
Drink more water
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Well, this is a fairly obvious tip. Over sixty percent of our body is made up of water, yet most of us don’t drink enough water every day. Why you need water, you ask? Well, water is required in order to carry out vital body functions such as carrying nutrients and removing waste.
Since we lose water daily (yup, through urine, sweating, bowel movements), it’s only natural that we need to replenish our water intake. Adults need to drink at least 1.5 liters of fluid a day!
Exercise
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Physical activity helps us spend energy and makes us feel good. If you’re gaining weight, you need to eat less and be more active. Sounds easy, right? However, we know that it isn’t. That’s why you should find the proper exercise for yourself. Don’t go to the gym if you hate it. Play some basketball or hockey instead. Swim. Go for a run. Play badminton with your kids. The possibilities are endless – give your body a proper workout.
Remember – exercise isn’t about punishing yourself. It’s about being healthy and having loads of fun at the same time.
Eat fruits
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Yeah, we know. Eating a brownie is great. However, it’s not really that great for your health. Sugar provides sweetness, but sugary foods and drinks are rich in energy and are best enjoyed as an occasional treat. That’s why you need to switch to fruit. The healthiest fruits are naturally sweet and packed with nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They’re also usually low in calories and high in fiber.
Try eating these fruits instead of candy:
- Peaches
- Kiwi
- Apples
- Oranges
- Pineapple
Eat Vegetables
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Vegetables are the source of many nutrients that your body needs. Here are some of those nutrients:
- Vitamin K – is essential for blood clotting and healthy bones and also has other functions in the body
- Folate (Vitamin B-9) – is important in red blood cell formation
- Vitamin A – is vital for normal vision, the immune system, and reproduction
- Manganese – It helps with protein and amino acid digestion
- Potassium – It helps regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions, and nerve signals
See? Your body really needs those veggies, so get up and make that raw salad! Just kidding, please, finish reading this article first.
Eat regularly
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Eating fruits and veggies is important, but eating regularly is of paramount importance. Skipping meals can lead to things such as out of control hunger, which is never a good thing. Don’t skip breakfast! You might think – Hey, I’ll have a snack later, what could go wrong? Snacking should never replace a full meal.
Oh, and while we’re at it, if you’re going to snack, please, choose yogurt or fresh or dried veggies and fruits. Don’t eat chips and M&M’s.
Of course, you should also pay attention to portion size. Cook just the right amount of food for yourself. Don’t overeat – ever.
The best time to start is always now. You can do it. Just remember – Gradual lifestyle changes are easier to maintain than major changes, so go easy on yourself. Good luck, we’re all counting on you!
