|
|
10
Essential Health and Fitness Tips
The
Basics to Practice Every Day
"He
who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything." -Arabian
Proverb
1. Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if
given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog;
chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves
your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in
small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a
45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great
when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha,
Cha…. Then do it!
2. Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e.
pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese,
cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and
sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in
limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute
butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean,
fat-burning machine…. Then be one!
3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon
General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have
been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've
seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood
influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes.
Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of
Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the
next one.
4.
Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some
techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30
minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the
beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog;
listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a
haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting
aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When
seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.
5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled
rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near
busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise
indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of
shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution and dirt from the street
deterrent. Thought for the day: 'Smoke gets in your eyes'…and your mouth,
and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the tune daily.
6. Wear Your Seat Belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate
potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and
buckle up.
7. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth
flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who floss
tend to be more health conscious than people who don't? Thought for the day:
Floss and be your body's boss.
8. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men)
can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other
health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the
day: A jug of wine should last a long time.
9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and
having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can't be unhappy
when you're smiling or singing.
10. Choose Your Parents Well
The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one
or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn't mean you cannot
counteract the genetic pool handed you. Thought for the day: Follow these
basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.
|
