3 of 9

Write now Article Tools

Who has time to stay healthy and fit in today's fast paced world? Life can get overwhelming, and adding fitness to an already long list of activities can seem downright depressing. Yet of all the ways you choose to spend your time, focusing on your health and fitness has the most benefits to you: longer life, higher quality life, more energy, less illness, and reduced health risks associated with obesity.

Taking care of yourself is critical! It's time to assess your life and make a change for a healthier, more fit you.

1). Get moving. If you have not already, join a health club. Many of us need social responsibility to get on the exercise bandwagon, and an outlay of precious cash is an excellent motivator. Many clubs offer initial training and personal trainers for those people new to exercise. Consider every hour in the gym worth one dollar of membership (this does not include changing, showering, or chatting!). Get your money's worth out of your membership every month, and you will be healthy and fit!

2) Drink more water. Replace all the cokes, beer, and fruit juices with water. Eating fruit gives you all the benefits of fruit juice but with added fiber, vitamins and minerals. Do yourself a favor and kick the canned drinks. Your body will rebel at not getting its regular sugar fix, but once it adjusts, you will notice that you are in a much more even mood.

3) Take a hard look at your diet. Keep a food diary for a month, writing down everything you ate and drank, including water. You just might be shocked at the end of the month when you read it. Your food journal will show you your food weaknesses and bad habits that you should change to improve your diet.

4) Revamp your diet, placing a strong emphasis on nutritional variety and water. Make a point to have at least five fruits or vegetables a day of different colors. Do not neglect protein, which can be found in beans and other sources if you are a vegetarian. When in doubt, take a vitamin to make sure you are covering your nutritional bases.

5) Don't skip meals. Many people skip breakfast because they are in a rush, and over eat the rest of the day as their body demands sugar to make up for the lack of energy from the missed breakfast. Eat three meals a day, and if you can fit it into your schedule, try dividing each meal in half and eating the second half 2.5 hours later. You will maintain your energy much better throughout the day by spacing out your food intake, but you must be careful to not increase your food intake. Your best bet is to cut your meals on your plate literally in half and put one half in the fridge until later.

6) Sleep more. People try to cram a week's worth of work into one day, and sacrifice their sleep in the attempt. Prioritize the tasks in your day and let go of the ones that are not vital. Get in the habit of going to sleep at a decent hour and waking up at the same time, even on weekends. Your body will thank you for the stability of your sleep schedule.

7) Find a way to cope with and unleash your feelings. Life is stressful and can make us angry. Bottling up emotions only lets them eat away at you. Find a healthy way to let your emotions go, whether with a boxing class, meditation, or screaming and crying in the shower.

Incorporate these tips into your life to maintain or improve your health and fitness. Remember that no habits are built overnight, so stay strong in the face of temptation to slack off. In three months these activities will seem like old habits, and you will love how your body feels.

Learn more about this author, C. M. Erickson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Top tips for health and fitness?
We want to hear your view. Write now!