There are many steps one can take to get started on a healthy lifestyle. This is by no means an exhaustive list of improvements but it’s a good start. Success is more likely with a series of small incremental changes over time rather than a complete overhaul of every habit one has developed over a lifetime. A nutritional consultant/health coach can help you to improve your lifestyle, one healthy habit at a time.
Drink plenty of water
Water is important for all systems in your body to work properly. It helps to remove toxins from your body, keep your temperature regulated, minimize fatigue, for healthy weight management, great for the skin, prevention of muscle cramps and many other benefits. You don’t have to feel thirsty to be dehydrated. Every day you should be drinking half your body weight in ounces of clean fresh water.
Get plenty of sleep
Lost sleep cannot be made up. You should be getting between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. Adequate sleep will improve mood, reduce stress, lower risk of chronic disease, improve cognitive function, aid in healthy weight management among other benefits. Electronic devices should be shut down at least an hour before bedtime. The blue light emitted from the device interrupts the production of melatonin which signals the brain that it’s bedtime.
Exercise daily
Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore. Play with your kids, dance, do yard work, walk, take the stairs, park at the end of the lot. You don’t have to go to a gym to get the benefit of exercise. Just move your body every day. Exercise can improve mood, reduce stress, support cardiovascular health, minimize the risk of serious disease, improve quality of sleep, stimulate muscle growth, prevent osteoporosis and provide many other benefits.
Take a quality vitamin supplement
Even if you choose nutrient dense foods, your body will still benefit from a good quality supplement. Because of over farming, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, our food system is not what it used to be. The nutrient levels that were in our grandparents’ food, do not exist in our modern food system.
Eat local when possible
Even organic produce that has been shipped all over the world loses a lot of its nutrients by the time it gets to the store. Eat produce that has been locally grown. It will keep you healthier and will support your local farmers.
Being healthy is simple but not always easy. Vast amounts of misinformation is all over the internet and sometimes you can’t figure out what’s right and what isn’t. In my capacity as a health and nutrition coach, I help you to make the changes that make the most sense in your life and before you know it you will feel better, have more energy, lose weight and regain your youthful vitality.
