Surefire Strategies To Get Fit And Stay Fit: Part 2
Description
This article is from the Health Articles series.
Surefire Strategies To Get Fit And Stay Fit: Part 2
One way to ensure you get maximum nutrients is to keep healthy food and snacks on hand. If you're craving something crunchy and would ordinarily reach for chip (loaded with fat and salt) try a celery stick instead. Really! Keep stalks cut and in cold water in your fridge (carrots, too!). Other low fat, high-fiber healthy foods include: apples, air-popped popcorn, low-fat regular or soy yogurt, plain graham crackers (extra points for the low-sugar, higher-fiber, health store kind), and unsalted almonds (a handful are surprisingly filling).
It might seem ironic, but as you establish your new, healthy eating habits, never skip meals (which only makes you more likely to over-eat at the next) and always eat breakfast. Eating breakfast actually boosts your metabolism by literally "breaking the fast," assuring your body that it doesn't have to slow down to conserve precious fuel. Try something high in fiber and complex carbohydrates and low in fat like whole grain cereal or toast and fresh fruit.
In addition to establishing healthy eating habits, you'll need to rev up your metabolism through regular, consistent aerobic activity, strength training, and stretching. Aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic activity at least three times per week (some studies show that three 10-minute spurts can achieve the same benefit as a sustained 30 minutes). Building muscle mass through strength training raises your resting metabolic rate because muscle burns more calories than fat. Stretching helps lengthen and balance the muscles and strengthens the mind/body connection.
With so many "do's" on our fitness quest list, here's one, big don't: Don't take diet pills or supplements. Most contain ephedra, a potentially dangerous herb, particularly when combined with other forms of caffeine (which most do). These supplements have been known to cause heart palpitations, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.
Ultimately, diets pills and supplements are only a short-term fix. By following these suggestions and strategies, you'll make the fundamental lifestyle changes necessary to get fit and stay fit… for life!
Continue to:
My Books
