Healthy living tips are important. While we all try to maintain our health and weight, try new diets, experiment with trending supplements, or even test fasting methods, it’s important to stay realistic and truthful to ourselves and what we are doing to our bodies. Whether you are trying to find tips on how to lose 10 pounds, advice to maintain your weight, or steps to live a healthy life, I have some healthy living tips for you.
Tips for Losing Weight, Gaining Muscle, and Living a Healthier, Happier Life
1. Calories In, Calories Out
People commonly ask “how many calories should I eat to lose weight?” The first rule to losing weight is burning more calories than you consume. After all is said and done, working out, eating healthfully, drinking water and getting a healthy amount of sleep seems to be the key to living a fit and healthy life. However, although your intensions may be in good spirit, it all boils down to calories consumed. Keep track of your caloric intake and make sure you are burning more than you consume.
2. Keep a Food Diary
If you are asking yourself “how do I lose weight,” your best friend will be an exercise and food diary to track your caloric intake vs. calories burned. Although it may be annoying and time-consuming to do this on an everyday basis, you can still try to do this at least one week out of each month by logging what you eat, drink, and type and duration of exercise. My girl friend and I both recommend “My Fitness Pal” app on your phone or computer. My Fitness Pal not only calculates your calories in, calories out, but it also calculates your intake of vitamins and minerals.3. Strength Training Versus Cardio
My friend has a theory on this, and although she is not a dietician or trainer, she swears by the rule “80-20” to lose weight and keep it off—80% cardio, 20% strength training. Cardio is an important factor for losing weight and keeping your heart healthy. Cardio can include running, fast-pace dancing (think Zumba), cross-training using the elliptical or Stairmaster, or even a team sport like basketball or soccer. Strength training can include lunges, squats, free weights, resistance machines, or my personal favorite, hot yoga. Try a combination of everything! You may be surprised what you like.4. Forget the 2000 Calories a Day Myth
Most nutrition labels note "Based on a 2000 calorie/day diet.” This is very misleading. The amount of calories you need every day is directly related to your weight, height, sex, age, typical workout regimen, and goal weight. My Fitness Pal offers a space to fill out your personal information, including your goal weight, and suggests how many calories as well as the nutritional contents you should consume each day. As you fill out your mobile diary, you will quickly see where you may be falling short in your weight loss plan.5. Metabolism and Hormones
Metabolism and hormone levels change throughout the course of your life. Birth control, hormone changes, stress, age, and family history play a huge role in how your body changes. It is normal for your metabolism to start slowing down in your mid 20's and during menopause, but it doesn't mean you are going to start gaining pounds overnight. Keep your age level and family history in mind.6. Breakfast like a King, Lunch like a Queen, and Dinner like a Peasant
This is where I’m working to change my healthy living regimen. Although I stick with the adequate amount of calories for my age, weight, and height, my biggest meal of the day is usually dinner (bad bad bad!). This is due to my love for cooking. And when do I have time to cook? After work. The time of day you consume your calories is a huge factor in losing weight, and could be your downfall. Follow the quote above and you’ll begin to see changes.If you are trying to lose weight or become healthier, the main thing to remember is to not obsess over it. Take my friends advice and allow yourself to go "a little crazy" on the weekends (not too crazy though). The important part is to keep a balanced life! Stay happy and live a healthy life!
