Although the keys to a happier, healthier life are not rocket science, most people find it almost impossible to make a lifestyle change that will put an end to constantly feeling sluggish, achy, and moody.
When asked why they won’t change, they offer a panoply of ingenious excuses about why they can’t change their poor eating habits and begin to exercise.
Right off the bat, here are two good reasons why it’s easier to eat healthier today than ever before.
1. Nutritious foods are more readily available at affordable prices.
Nutritious food can be defined as foods that provide your body with the sustenance it needs to thrive. Yes, fast foods and most grocery foods are nutritious when it comes to macronutrients and micronutrients, but they have additives, preservatives, and excessive salt, sugar, and fats that wreck your health.
In the past, foods free from GMO, pesticides, and artificial ingredients were only available from Farmer’s markets and specialized health food stores. In addition, there was often a high markup between vegetables sprayed with deadly insecticides and those grown on an organic farm. However, all this is changing. Nowadays more supermarkets have special departments for health-conscious shoppers and specialized health food stores have been forced to slash their prices to stay competitive with these giant chains selling the same thing.
2. The science of supplementation has become incredibly sophisticated.
It was not too long ago that supplement science mainly consisted of protein powders in big plastic containers and multivitamin and mineral bottles. Today supplement science has advanced far beyond what Arnold Schwarzneggar used to win his Mr. Olympia titles. Even supplements considered breakthroughs like Creatine, Branch Chain Amino Acids, and L-Glutamine are now stale news. The battle is on to do things like fight cellular stress, the microscopic damage to your cells that are caused by free radicals causing havoc. LifeVantage has developed a supplement called Nf2 that benefits DNA repair. It’s also an anti-inflammatory and helps reverse aging of the skin. Additionally, it prevents a number of serious health problems like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and cancer.
How to Start Eating Healthier
Forget about what you’re not doing right and start adding more nutritious foods into your diet. Pretty soon, you will lose your interest in comfort foods. You will feel bloated and tired when you blow through a bag of potato chips in one sitcom.
Do you want more energy for working out?
Eat blueberries, bananas, strawberries, hummus, and yogurt?
Do you need more brain power to do better at school or perform better on the job?
Eat whole grains, essential fatty acids, blueberries, tomatoes, walnuts, avocados, and broccoli. Your brain and nervous system also loves B vitamins: so feed it foods rich in B2, B6, B12, and Folic Acid. Like a little spice? Try Indian curries, which have plenty of turmeric, an ingredient that improves cognitive functioning. And if all this healthy eating makes you feel a little deprived, eat dark chocolate, which is loaded with antioxidants.
How to Start An Exercise Program
The primary mistake most beginners’ make when it comes to exercising is to try to do too much too soon. They try to make up for years of physical neglect in a week.
They join a gym and spend hours there. They run in the park until they can’t take another breath. Often they feel great when exercising. It’s only the day after that they are so sore that they can barely move. However, as soon as they recover, they are back at it again. This cycle of exultation and despair may continue a few more times before they quit completely. It just hurts too much to exercise.
Here’s what you should do instead: start slowly regardless of the type of exercise you’re doing.
On your first day in the gym, for example, do only 25% of what you know you can. If, for instance, you find it easy to bench press 100 lbs do a 25 lb press. It may look ridiculous, but you have to condition your body before you push your performance. Next time, add another 10 pounds. Keep on adding 10 pounds every workout until you can reach your actual strength level. Then stay at this level for a while before gradually increasing your poundage.
Another thing you should do is focus on cross-fitness rather than choosing one favorite type of exercise.
- For strength, size, and muscle tone do weight lifting or calisthenics.
- For cardiovascular health do an aerobics class, running, or swimming.
- For flexibility, do stretching or yoga.
Spread out these types of exercise throughout the week for variety and all-around health benefits. Yes, some benefits do cross-over, but that’s fine. Bodybuilding and yoga both tone up your body and burn fat. However, think of these exercises as working in a synergistic way. For instance, weight lifting will make you stronger, but yoga will counteract the muscle tightening that comes from weight-lifting.
Give Up All Your Excuses
If you want to look and feel good, and if you want to enjoy more zest, you have to eat nutritious foods and exercise regularly. It’s that simple. If you don’t know how, you can find out how. If you find it awkward, you will get used to it. In the long run, you will enjoy a much more fulfilling life by taking time out of your day to take excellent care of your body. When you look after your body, it will look after you!
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
