Category: healthy living

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How The Paleo Diet Can Benefit You

 

Paleo Diet Can Benefit You. Every diet that encourages participants to eat healthy foods will have similar benefits, pros, and cons. Of course, a diet that is easy to follow and maintain is going to be far more popular than those, which are highly restrictive. Following the Paleo Diet tends to see followers get a good boost of energy within just a few days, and within weeks, the weight starts to drop. A month of Paleo results in wellness and by this point the majority of participants find they follow the diet without thinking, that it’s just become a part of them.

The Paleo Diet has a wide variety of benefits and if you’re thinking about trying it, you should dedicate at least 30 days to trying it on for size before you write it off.

1. Helps You Drop Processed Foods
If there’s one feature in pretty much every American diet it’s processed foods. They are as addictive as they are delicious, but unfortunately, they offer no nutritional benefit whatsoever. In the times of cavemen, there were no artificial colorings or additives in food to worry about, and taking your diet back to that model helps you cut out the excess ingredients that you’ve been giving your body for years.

It does require commitment and willpower, though, as your brain has become accustomed to the highs that these foods provide (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3139704/). Expect to experience some withdrawals like headaches, and a mood swing or two.

2. Helps You Avoid Fast Food
It’s cheap, it’s quick, and it’s easy, which is probably why the fast food business is booming and our health is on the decline. While it is possible to visit a fast food restaurant and make healthy choices, the Paleo Diet stamps a big no on this one.

Moreover, you can kiss goodbye to eating a bag of pretzels or potato chips in front of the television. The problem with eating while we watch TV is that it is utterly mindless and we tend to overdo it without even realizing what’s going on. Instead, you’ll be clearing your cupboards of junk and enjoying healthy snacks. You don’t need to feel as bad when you reach for a carrot stick to keep you company during your latest box-set binge.

3. Cut Those Empty Calories & Carbs Out
As much as you love soda, energy, and sports drinks – your cavemen ancestors didn’t, so neither will you anymore. Suddenly, your body is getting plenty of water (and herbal tea, too) and you’ve just cut down your sugar intake massively, as well as cutting out chemicals that your body doesn’t need for any reason. This step alone will help you reduce those empty calories thus contributing to weight loss.

4. Extra Energy
When you follow the Paleo Diet correctly, you will be enjoying a balanced diet, which means that these natural foods you are eating will provide you with far more energy than you’ve become accustomed to. That’s right; you won’t miss those sugary beverages because you will be naturally filled with energy.

5. The Right Foods
You will be eating more healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables, which of course, your body will thank you for. Most Americans fail on this front, so the Paleo Diet is the perfect solution for anyone who is struggling with their weight and with eating enough of the right things.

Ultimately, all of these benefits feed one greater benefit, perhaps, the greatest benefit, which is your overall health, wellness, and happiness. The foods that you will cut out contribute to chronic illnesses like obesity, heart disease, and even cancer. Removing them from your diet altogether helps reduce your risk factors for these diseases and maintains your health.

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Looking For Hidden Fats In Foods

Hidden Fats In Foods.

Visible Fats

If you tried going on a diet in order to lose weight before, then you probably know that fried and oily foods have higher fat content and that they should be avoided at all costs. The fats found in these foods are often referred to as visible fats.
Visible fats are those that you can easily spot on your plate, such as butter, margarine, lard, the oil that is used in salad dressing, bacon that is more white than red, or pork chops that have a strip of white fat. Because they are easy to spot, visible fats can easily be avoided by people who are on a diet.

Hidden Trans Fats

Although visible fats are easy to spot and avoid, it’s not the same when it comes to hidden fats. You’d be surprised to find out how many foods that you eat on a daily basis are loaded with fats, especially unhealthy types of fat. Most of the products that you regularly buy in your local supermarket contain a lot of trans fats that increase your bad cholesterol and decrease your good cholesterol levels.
The reason why many people have no clue about the real fat content in products is that they don’t know how to look for it. If you try to search for the term “trans fats” on the food labels of any product you simply won’t find it. Instead, you need to search for the source of trans fats, also known as partially hydrogenated oils. The next time you’re in a supermarket, be sure to check the ingredient list for partially hydrogenated oils (check for it even in the foods that are labeled as fat-free).
Trans fats are considered to be the worst type of fat that you can consume. Excessive trans fat consumption is one of the main causes of heart disease today. Although naturally occurring trans fat is found in small amounts in some dairy and meat products, most trans fat is formed through an industrial process that involves adding hydrogen to vegetable oil in order to make it become solid at room temperature.
The reason why this is done is to extend the shelf life of certain products. Other than that, a lot of restaurants use partially hydrogenated vegetable oil in their deep fryers in order to avoid changing it often.
Despite the fact that they’re so unhealthy, trans fats are still present in a lot of products simply because they’re inexpensive, easy to use, and last a long time. Because of this, they will likely be used in the future as well. However, it’s up to you to identify the foods that contain it and avoid them.

Foods Filled With Hidden Fats

hidden fats in foods
There are other foods that you probably consume on a regular basis that are filled with hidden fats. Here are some of the foods you should avoid:
• Mayonnaise – It doesn’t matter if you opt for eggless or real mayonnaise, both are filled with hidden fats. Egg yolks, which are used to make real mayonnaise, are considered one of the richest sources of fat. On the other hand, starch from potatoes gets converted into fat during the preparation of eggless mayonnaise.
• Peanut butter – Although it is considered healthy, you should watch how much peanut butter you consume. Keep in mind that 10 grams of peanut butter contains roughly 5 grams of fat.
• Seafood – A lot of fish contain a good type of fat, but some seafood foods including crabs, shrimp, and lobsters contain a lot of unhealthy fats.
• Cheese – Cheese is without a doubt one of the most tempting food products available. However, know that 100 grams of cheese contains 30 grams of fat!
• Instant noodles – Many people adore instant noodles because they’re a budget-friendly meal that you can easily prepare. However, know that a cup of instant noodles can contain more saturated fat than an order of French fries.

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5 Important Benefits Of Kettlebell Training

Kettlebell Training. Kettlebells are one piece of fitness equipment that, although been around for quite some time, has only become mainstream as of relatively late. These odd-looking devices can be found today at pretty much every place people work out. Commercial gyms, group exercise classes, and even many hotel fitness centers are equipped with at least a few kettlebells.

Kettlebells are the type of item that would make the list of essentials if one were required to choose only a few pieces of fitness equipment to perform a quality workout. The versatility and convenience of the kettlebell are widely utilized by many fitness enthusiasts today.

In this article, we are going to point out 5 great benefits of training with kettlebells that anyone can enjoy, wherever they choose to workout.

Real-Life Application

The problem with traditional pieces of resistance equipment used in most workouts is their limited carryover to real-life tasks. A barbell or dumbbell, with weight loaded evenly on both sides and an ergonomic handle in the middle, makes manipulating these objects a lot easier. Unfortunately, almost none of the things we have to pick up outside of the gym resemble this design.

With the kettlebell, the weight is distributed somewhat unevenly throughout the device. It takes a far different movement pattern to perform exercises with a kettlebell, one that is much more similar to random things we find ourselves picking up and lifting during everyday tasks.

Utilization Of Limited Space

For those of us who work out someplace other than the gym, such as at home or even at the office, space tends to be in limited supply. This situation does not allow a large amount of bulky equipment and storage areas for workout gear.

The kettlebell provides a valuable tool for any workout, while also being extremely space-friendly. Even the heavier kettlebells available for purchase still take up a fraction of the space when compared to other pieces of equipment of the same weight.

Budget-Friendly Training

One of the coolest benefits of kettlebell training lies in its ability to provide a full-body workout without the annoying cost of a gym membership or home gym. For all of the workout warriors out there on a limited budget, purchasing even a single kettlebell can be your best friend. You can literally buy one of these devices at virtually any weight and still challenge yourself from a full-body standpoint. This stands true for individuals at every level of fitness. If you desire to create your own workout routine using the smallest possible budget, look no further than the kettlebell!

Creative Exercises

After a while, performing the same old exercises workout after workout can become quite monotonous. There is only so much excitement to be had from bench-pressing or treadmill sessions. Training is supposed to be enjoyable. If you stop looking forward to working out, you risk losing the number one factor responsible for improving your overall fitness: consistency.

Another great benefit of kettlebell training is that the list of exercises using these devices is enormous. The design and performance of the kettlebell allow a huge amount of creativity in exercise design. If you are experiencing somewhat of a burnout from your usual training routine, switch things up and try out kettlebell training to rekindle your fitness flame!

Improved Posture

A large amount of fitness enthusiasts have a habit of dedicating much more time to the “show” muscles, parts of the body seen more in the mirror. If you will notice next time you visit the gym, the number of people performing bicep and chest exercises severely outnumbers those working their hamstrings and upper back.

Naturally, this habit leads to a large number of muscular imbalances throughout the body, setting up the increased likelihood of injury. Kettlebell training offers a solution to this issue in that most exercises performed with these devices require a large demand from the posterior chain of the body.

Often neglected muscle groups such as the spinal erectors, hamstrings, and glutes get a chance to be challenged and strengthened for a change, allowing the equilibrium of your overall physique to even out.

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Kettlebell Workouts Can Change Your Body

Kettlebell Workouts Can Change Your Body. While perusing about your local gym, you may have noticed an odd little device nestled at the end of a dumbbell rack jumbled amongst an array of other strange exercise equipment. This object somewhat resembles a cross between a boat anchor and an oversized pendant adorning a necklace. In reality, this piece of equipment is known as a kettlebell, and it can change your entire perspective of what it means to work out.

kettlebell
kettlebell

Although they have been around forever, kettlebells have enjoyed a recent spike in popularity, brought in part by the CrossFit movement. These strange-looking free weights provide a unique way to challenge the body regardless of one’s fitness level or overall goals.

Kettlebell training usually involves explosive movements utilizing an increased range of motion that other forms of exercise lack. Because of the increased dynamics present in the workout, an individual can simultaneously reap the benefits of strength training as well as aerobic conditioning.

Instead of doing a few sets of say, bench press, then hopping on the treadmill at the end of your workout, you can combine both aspects of these movements into one.

Using kettlebells also increases the carryover of your workout into real life. The problem with many pieces of gym equipment such as dumbbells, barbells, and other exercise machines is that the weight is perfectly balanced in the center of the load. While this makes the management of the exercise more efficient, few objects in the real world feature the same even weight distribution.

The structure of a kettlebell is such that the majority of the weight is distributed several inches from the actual handle. This design forces you to not only move the weight but also requires a higher degree of control and intent to do so. Both of these factors do a great job of mimicking physical tasks you will encounter outside of the gym. In terms of functionality, the kettlebell reigns supreme!

Another beneficial aspect of kettlebell training is the reduced need to constantly change and adjust the resistance. Completing a strenuous and effective workout can be accomplished using only one kettlebell, and never more than a few. Most of us are pressed for time when it comes to maintaining consistent exercise routines.

By eliminating the need to add weight to the bar, find a different dumbbell, and wait for a certain machine to open up, the time required to knock out a training session is greatly reduced.

For those of you who choose to workout at home or on the go, utilizing the kettlebell is a fantastic option. Because of their relatively small size and the aforementioned benefit of only needing one, your ability to work out doesn’t have to depend on a large amount of space or a fully furnished gym. Kettlebell training is an effective way of preserving the consistency and availability of your exercise routine. Convenience and kettlebells go hand in hand (no pun intended).

Whatever your workout routine looks like, it needs to be one that both challenges and entertains you. Nothing is worse than being miserable while dragging your way through a boring workout routine that you have performed a hundred times.

A quick peek into any one of the vast number of kettlebell workouts available online will expose you to many exercises you have probably never observed. Movements such as the kettlebell swing, Turkish get-up, and overhead snatch may all sound foreign to you right now.

However, if you find your current routine to be stagnant and monotonous, give kettlebell training a try. This may just be the spark you need to revamp your motivation for fitness.

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4 Fun Ways To Get Off The Couch

4 Fun Ways To Get Off The Couch. I don’t need to spend any significant amount of time harping on the importance of physical activity and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle. You are probably well aware that, without physical activity, you will not enjoy the maximum quality of life otherwise available.

Here’s the thing though, most advice pertaining to getting off of your couch and getting moving is all about getting into the gym and pumping iron. Every fitness plan promises to “build this amount of muscle” or “melt away this number of pounds in no time.” While you probably do not mind the idea of either of these things, the odds of you sticking to something you do not enjoy long enough to reap any benefits is slim to none.

Exercise does not have to be the primary variable in a situation. Although intense, focused workouts are certainly more challenging and probably beneficial, any time you get your body moving for an extended period of time, you are exercising.

The focus of this article will be to discuss four ways that you may not have considered that will cause you to get out of the house and get your body moving the way it was intended!

Try Your Hand At Martial Arts

If I asked you to describe some of your favorite movie scenes of all time, I can bet that at least some of them would involve action packed scenarios involving your favorite good guy engaged in hand-to-hand combat with their evil nemesis. These choreographed movements are certainly fun to watch, and you may have never even considered that these are real movements, taught at a real close, probably REALLY close to your home.

Martial arts gyms are really starting to pop up all over the place as sports like the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships) and fitness, in general, are gaining traction.

The great thing about going straight from your couch to a local gym is that, in whatever gym teaching any of the various forms of martial arts you find your way into, no one is going to judge you. As a practice, martial arts is a sacred, inclusive form of training in which you will commonly find people of many levels of expertise training alongside one another.

Visit Your Local Driving Range

The truth is golf is really hard. You are very unlikely to hop straight from the sofa to the tee box and perform like a pro. However, for the sake of getting outside and moving around, the driving range can be a lot of fun even if you happen to be horrible at golf.

Whether you go alone or by yourself with a group of friends at a similar skill level, something about a pretty day and a bucket of cheap golf balls really sets a nice tone. Most driving ranges even have clubs available for you to rent, should you show up not even slightly equipped for golf.

I can guarantee that as you hack away at your allotted range balls, you will have a good time, even if most of the balls don’t travel more than a few feet. I will also assure you that you will notice you have been moving. Swinging a golf club, especially for the number of repetitions required to empty a container of driving range balls, will cause even the seasoned fitness junkie to break a sweat.

Experience Your Local Downtown

If you are like most people, your weekly outings regarding where you get the things you need are literal clockwork. If you were to trace your weekly route on a map and compare it week by week throughout the year, you would probably find yourself with one solid, overlapping shape.

A fantastic way to get off the couch and get moving is to check out your local downtown. The great thing about these places is that new small businesses tend to pop up all the time, helping with the monotony of your trips to the local supermarket.

In the way of physical activity, most downtown markets require you to park your car and then go from store to store on foot. This forces you to avoid finding the closest parking spot to the door at the grocery store, navigating aisles with pinpoint accuracy, and getting back to your car with as few wasted steps as possible!

Sign Up For A City League Sport

If you live in an area with even a relatively decent population size, there are probably city-sponsored athletics events available to you. These usually include sports like softball and basketball, but larger cities often offer a much greater array of athletics.

A great thing about these types of leagues is that they are very welcoming and usually scaled to the level of intensity you are looking for. Within each sport, there will usually be several divisions or “leagues” that offer a different level of competition, so you are able to find the one that works for you.

City league sports are a fantastic way to get moving, and possibly even make new friends (further increasing your odds of getting off of the couch).

If you want your free copy of “The Sedentary Disease” just send me an e-mail with the keyword REPORT at:  bojana.marguc@gmail.com  and I will send you your copy.

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What Happens To Your Body When You Never Move?

What Happens To Your Body When You Never Move? Our culture today is experiencing a lifestyle shift unlike any other change involving generations past. As modern technology continues to skyrocket toward the future, an almost perfect negative correlation can be found in the amount of physical activity the average individual performs.

While the perils of a sedentary lifestyle are somewhat common knowledge, this article will touch on a few of these detriments to specific anatomical systems.

Muscular System

A common trend you will notice as we progress in this discussion is the body’s remarkable ability to allocate resources to specific locations it deems necessary. Muscles are a direct and literally observable example of this trend.

When the muscular system is not frequently exposed to outside stresses and resistances that require muscle tissue to contract and shorten, the body notices and begins to decrease the amount of nutrients and oxygen the muscle receives.

Naturally, this leads to a reduction in overall muscle size and strength. On the contrary, if the body realizes that a muscle or group of muscles is being asked to handle an increased workout on a consistent basis, these structures will receive a greater influx of nutrients, thereby increasing in both size and force output.

Skeletal System

Our bones are specifically designed to provide an overall framework for the body, protect vital organs, store nutrients and specific types and cells, and manage the perpetual effect of gravity. When an individual’s lifestyle is devoid of adequate physical activity, the skeletal system, as with most other body systems, begins to deteriorate due to a decrease in the nourishment it receives.

The overall strength of a bone is usually described in terms of bone mineral density (BMD). Processes such as prolonged periods of inactivity and aging are marked by an increase in this parameter. Quite obviously, decreased bone mineral density is highly correlated to increase breaks and fractures, as well as reduced overall functionality an individual maintains.

The Cardiovascular System

Your heart really is the MVP when it comes to persistence. No matter how inactive you choose to be, this organ does not follow suit. Although your heart will continue to function despite an inadequate amount of movement, it is far from immune to it.

Just a few examples of how lack of movement negatively affects the heart are a weaker, less efficient contraction, decreased oxygen uptake, and obstructed flow of blood the through body. These issues force the heart to work much harder to keep you alive, which inevitably decreased the lifespan of the heart itself.

Metabolism & Bodyweight

Probably the most obvious consequence of not moving enough is an increase in body weight, oftentimes leading to obesity. Your body has a specific amount of calories it requires to maintain vital structures such as the heart, brain, and liver. Whatever caloric total remaining after these systems are accounted for is allocated to provide energy towards physical activity and movement.

In a movement deficit, these leftover calories are not burned as full and must be stored somewhere in the body for a later date. As you can probably guess, one of the main storage vessels is adipose tissue or body fat. Digressing back to the effects of the inactivity of muscle tissue, specifically the reduction in muscle size due to non-use, metabolism is intricately involved in this process. Lean muscle mass actually has a high demand for calories even while at rest.

The more muscle is present in the body, the higher the metabolic rate becomes. To put it simply, there will actually be fewer of those leftover calories we previously discussed, resulting in less potential for storage in the form of fat.

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Nutrition Need Not Be Boring

Nutrition Need Not Be Boring. Deciding to change your diet and improve your nutrition is an admirable step, but it can be difficult to stick to a new eating plan if you find healthy food to be “boring.” You might eventually begin to lose interest in eating meals loaded with fruits and vegetables while limiting the foods you used to love.
The good news is, there are plenty of ways that you can keep your new diet interesting. The more interested you are, the more likely you are to continue this diet long-term.
Here are a few ways that you can keep a balanced diet interesting and prevent yourself from becoming bored.

Drinking Shakes or Juices

The thought of adding fruits and vegetables to every meal might make you shudder, but there are other ways to get your vitamins and minerals. The easiest and best way to get all those important nutrients is by making shakes and juices that are loaded with all the vitamins and minerals you need to live a healthy life.
What’s great about making your own shakes and juices is the serving size. Rather than having to eat several cups of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, you can get the same amount of nutrients in an 8 or 16-ounce beverage.
You also have full control over the ingredients you’re using and the nutrients you’re taking in. That means you can try out some new recipes with your favorite fruits and vegetables without getting bored of the same old thing every day.

Focus on Variety

One of the most common reasons that people give up on their diets is because of the monotony of it all. Though there are certain foods and beverages that’ll help to improve your health and nutritional intake, it can be incredibly boring to eat and drink the same few items every day.
That’s why variety is so important! There’s no shortage of healthy foods and beverages and there are practically unlimited recipes to keep you interested in your diet and health, all at the same time.
The best way to implement variety into your diet is by doing your own research and compiling a comprehensive list of recipes that you can consume while on your diet. In addition to learning about new foods that you didn’t even know you liked, you’ll always have something new to look forward to on your diet!

Leave Some Room for Fun

Starting a new diet usually means leaving your favorite foods in the past, especially if they were full of salt, fat, or sugar. While you know it’s for your own good, it’s completely normal to crave these foods every once in a while, even if you’re on a strict diet.
Your body requires food and beverages to stay alive, but it’s also incredibly common to find enjoyment in what you’re eating and drinking. A new diet doesn’t always mean you have to eat healthy 100% of the time.
Though you should do so in moderation, you should leave some room for fun when it comes to your new diet. That means allowing yourself to eat some of your favorite foods, as long as you’re not doing so every day or seriously setting your new diet back.

Final Thoughts

When you think about nutrition, you probably think about swapping out your entire current diet and replacing it with nutrient-dense foods. Though doing so will undoubtedly improve your health, it can be a bit boring and negatively impact your relationship with food. That’s why it’s so important to keep your new diet interesting and something you can stick to.

 

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Getting Started With Pilates

Getting Started With Pilates. When you’re looking to improve your muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility all at the same time, yoga might not produce the specific effects that you’re looking for. For more challenges and better results, Pilates can be an effective alternative.
Before you jump headfirst into the Pilates world, you should take the time to learn a little bit about what Pilates is, what you’ll need, and how to involve yourself in the activity.

Understanding Pilates

Before you sign up for a class or purchase your own Pilates equipment, you want to make sure that you know what you’re getting yourself into. The method is by no means simple.
During each workout, you’ll be pushed to your body’s physical limits, struggle to perform exercises, and likely feel exhausted at the conclusion of the workout.
No matter what your current Pilates experience level is, you’ll want to make sure that you’re selecting workouts, videos, or classes that are suitable for your physical abilities.

What You’ll Need

Depending on how advanced your skill level currently is when it comes to Pilates, the equipment you need to be successful in Pilates will vary greatly.
The most important thing you’ll need for Pilates is comfortable clothing that’ll allow you to bend and move easily. Your outfit might include a sports bra, leggings, and a loose top. Don’t go overboard when purchasing attire, as any workout equipment will do just fine.
In terms of the equipment you’ll need to perform certain exercises, you might want to consider investing in an exercise ball and a Pilates mat. These will get you through the most basic exercises and help you to build your strength and flexibility for more intense exercises.

Starting Off Slowly

Just like any exercise regimen, you need to make sure that you’re not going in too strong, especially with such a rigorous exercise regimen like Pilates.
Before you plan out the next few weeks around your Pilates workouts, you’ll want to try out a basic Pilates workout first to see how you like it and what you’re capable of doing.
If you enjoyed your workout session, you should then give yourself a day or two to recover to see if your muscles or joints are in any type of pain or discomfort. Then, schedule your next workout accordingly.
As a beginner, you might be most comfortable with doing this kind of exercise one to three times per week, but you can obviously increase your frequency if you’re enjoying it and building strength and flexibility accordingly.

Signing Up for Classes

Once you feel more comfortable doing it on your own, whether it’s through a guided workout video or a description on a website, you might want to consider joining a local Pilates studio and signing up for classes.
If possible, you should consult with an expert at the studio to determine which type of class would best suit your physical abilities. You don’t want to sign up for an intermediate class if you’re still considered a beginner.
The most important thing about joining classes is putting in the effort and truly getting your money’s worth. That means pushing yourself to your physical limits, always looking to make improvements, and socializing with others in the class.
When you feel that you’re progressing in abilities and skill levels, you can try out some more advanced classes.

Final Thoughts

This is a great method of exercising and can vastly improve your health and body composition. In order to get the greatest benefits from participating in this, you need to make sure that you’re pushing yourself during workouts and maintaining a consistent routine.

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The Lazy Person’s Guide To Getting More Exercise

The Lazy Person’s Guide To Getting More Exercise. The title of this article is somewhat of a humorous gesture to those of us who know we should get exercising more but can’t seem to make it happen. You may actually consider yourself lazy, but if so, this discussion will still be beneficial.

However, the word lazy as it pertains to the title above can be substituted for a large number of descriptors applicable to today’s population. Examples such as busy, overwhelmed, unmotivated, or misinformed are all, unfortunately, all accurate insertions for a lot of us.

On a positive note, whether you simply cannot stand the thought of walking into the gym or find yourself without a sliver of spare time to work out, you can still get more exercise in your daily routine. There are very small tweaks to be made in even the busiest of schedules that allow anyone to get moving more and improve their overall fitness.

To illustrate this point, we are going to point out a few ways to increase your exercise intake without monumentally disrupting your everyday routine.

Leave The Elevator Alone

I am confident there are more than a few of you reading this article that could not point someone to the stairwell at your place of work. In the mindless hustle to and from your office or workspace, hopping on the elevator is the overwhelmingly preferred option. After all, traversing the flight after the dreaded flight of stairs to your destination is hard!

Here’s the thing: it is supposed to be a little hard. Something as simple as taking the stairs instead of the elevator is an almost automatic way to increase your amount of exercise.

This is true even if your trek only requires a couple of flights of stairs. While you will hopefully not reach the top gasping for air, climbing the stairs does provide a brief period of exercise. Fortunately for us, the body has no way of knowing if you are working out in the gym or getting to your office. If your muscles are being challenged and your heart race increased, trust and believe, you are exercising!

Rethink Your Commute

Unless you live a pretty significant distance from your place of work or any other location you visit on a regular basis, getting there and back is another great opportunity for easy exercise. Oftentimes, we pile into our vehicles to travel somewhere less than a mile or two from home. This ingrained habit is a missed opportunity to improve our physical health.

Make no mistake; I am not saying you have to don your full marathon outfit and race full speed to work. To be honest, any mode of transportation that uses your own energy as the fuel source will do the trick.

Riding a bicycle, a brisk jog or even a leisurely walk are all viable alternatives to driving. Not only will you mitigate wear and tear on your car and burn less gas, you will simultaneously improve your body’s ability to manage mileage and burn more calories!

Take A Stand

In our world today, sitting down is basically a health crisis. For many of us, the only portion of the day not spent sitting is when we lie down in bed! Not only does sitting cause tightness and muscle imbalances due to the often-poor posture assumed, but we are also not burning any excess calories.

We have all seen the guy at work with the standing desk. As a matter of fact, many of us have enjoyed a nice joke about this person in the break room. Fortunately, you don’t have to be that guy to sit less and move around more.

Simple modifications to your day such as walking around to take your calls, standing to stretch every fifteen minutes or so, or even a quick trip to the water fountain and back can really add up.

 

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Balanced Meals Mean More Nutrients

Balanced Meals Mean More Nutrients. Everybody knows just how important it is to maintain a healthy diet to improve overall health. But, there’s much more to starting a healthy diet than simply eating foods that are regarded as stereotypically “healthy.”
When you’re beginning a new diet, you need to understand why your body needs specific nutrients throughout the course of the day, the role that balanced diets play in improving health, and how to add variety to your diet to stay interested.

What Your Body Needs

When most people think about diets, they place a heavy emphasis on the number of calories they’re consuming over the course of the day. However, the actual nutrients that you’re consuming are much more important than the calorie count.
That’s because your body desperately needs each of the macronutrients and micronutrients to function properly. These nutrients include:
● Carbohydrates
● Proteins
● Fats
● Vitamins
● Minerals
● Water
Think about it this way. If you’re eating the standard 2,000 calories per day, but you’re eating a diet loaded with fats and sugars, you’ll be much more likely to increase your risk of developing health conditions and gaining weight than if the diet were more balanced.
Your overall goal when it comes to consuming a more balanced diet should be to get the nutrients that your body requires without overdoing it.
Getting too much or too little of specific nutrients can cause negative health consequences that can effectively set your new diet back even further.

Why Balanced Meals are So Important

There are quite a few reasons that balanced diets are considered so important.
First of all, balanced meals contain plenty of nutrients in one meal and allow you to spread out your nutrient consumption throughout the day. Rather than getting all of your vitamin D in the morning, for example, you can get it in smaller portions throughout the day.
This can help you to maintain consistent levels of the required nutrients at all times rather than having them spike with specific meals.
Balanced meals are also much more interesting to consume. With a truly balanced meal, your meal will be stocked full of different tastes, textures, colors, and nutrients. That means you have many more options when it comes to different types of meals that you can make.

Adding Some Variety of Balanced Meals to Your Diet

In order to stick to any diet, particularly a more balanced diet, you need to add a lot of variety. There are a few reasons for that.
If you get bored of eating the same meals, day in and day out, you’ll most likely revert to your previously unhealthy diet. When you lose interest in eating because the food doesn’t appeal to you or it’s become too repetitive, then you’ll lose focus and get off track.
It also helps to keep your diet much more fun. When you’re constantly cooking new meals, trying out new ingredients, and pairing new foods, you’ll be much more interested in eating, even if it is considered a “healthy” balanced diet.
Variety also allows you to strategically select the nutrients that you’re getting with each meal. By selecting specific foods or ingredients, you can better target the nutrients that you’re lacking in and cut out on some of the nutrients that you’re getting too much of.

Final Thoughts

Before you completely revamp your current diet to eat only healthy foods, you need to take quite a few things into consideration. The most important thing you can do when trying to improve your health is by consuming more balanced diets that are loaded with a greater number of nutrients.