How to Stay Fit and Healthy
If it were easy to stay fit and healthy, there would be less disease in the world and people would live much longer. Unfortunately, it gets more difficult as one gets older and it may require serious lifestyle changes. But this does not mean that it can’t be done. If anything, there are probably several things you could be doing differently and there’s no reason you can’t give it a shot.
Here are some things you can do to get back on track:
• Exercise regularly. Consistency is the key. It doesn’t matter what type of exercise you do, as long as you enjoy it enough to do it regularly. Some people enjoy running, while others would rather walk or ride a bike. Other options include swimming, yoga, skipping rope and calisthenics. If it gets your body moving and raises your heart rate, you’ll get some benefit from it. Try to get at least one hour of exercise each day.
• Avoid fast food. No matter what you order at a fast food restaurant, it will probably be far less healthy than what you could make at home. As if that weren’t enough, fast food can actually trigger your body into desiring even more unhealthy food. If you’re serious about staying fit and healthy, you’ll strive to avoid it entirely.
• Take care of your teeth and gums. Although they’re not the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to your health, your teeth and gums have a lot to do with your overall health. Most people are aware of its impact on their breath and appearance, but the bacteria in your mouth can also get into your bloodstream and spread to other organs. These bacteria are known to contribute to heart disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), infertility and dementia.
• Set specific and measurable goals. Some goals can be measured and others cannot. If you set the type of goal that can’t be measured, it will be harder to achieve and there’s a good chance you’ll set it aside. Adding a deadline and specifics to your goal gives you something realistic to shoot for, that you can actually visualize. For example, having a goal to save money for traveling is common, since lots of people enjoy traveling. However, you’re less likely to achieve that goal than a more specific one to save P50,000 for a trip somewhere in two years.
• Keep good company. There’s a good chance you’re going to eat the same foods and spend your time the same way as your friends and family. So if you want to stay fit and healthy, you’re going to have to find friends and family members who want the same for themselves. This can be difficult, since we did not choose our families and many of our friends have been around for years. However, there are groups and clubs you can join that promote a fit and healthy lifestyle. With any luck, it won’t be long before some of your friends and family express a desire to join.
Ultimately, the choice to remain fit and healthy is up to you. Just because you spent the first few decades of your life eating bad food and neglecting your body does not mean that you can’t repair some of the damage. If anything, living well should be one of the most important goals to strive for in the remaining years of your life.