Exercise and a Healthy Lifestyle

Researchers believe that one of the most significant contributors to obesity is that lifestyles today are not conducive to sufficient physical activity. The conveniences that are said to make are lives easier are also making us physically unfit. We have drive-up windows for everything from food to prescriptions. People are working longer hours at sit-down jobs, and homework precedes the evening walk.

In terms of weight management and weight loss, diet combined with exercise yields a more positive result than either one does on its own. Take a look at your lifestyle and determine realistic ways you can become more active. Walking is the easiest way to add physical activity to your daily life.

• Choose a less convenient parking space when doing errands.
  
  
• Clean your own house rather than hiring a house cleaner.
  
  
• Wash your own car rather than going to the car wash.
  
  
• Forget about the dishes and homework for twenty minutes and go for a walk first.
  
  
• Try bowling, skating, or playing miniature golf on the weekend.
  
  
• Take five minutes out of your day to walk up and down your stairs.
  

Exercising daily will help to stabilize your blood sugar levels, improve your heart health, increase your strength and stamina, and will help you sleep better.

If weight loss is your initiative, keep in mind that the more you exercise, the more lean muscle you will build. This lean muscle will increase the rate of your resting metabolism, allowing you to burn more calories.

• Remember that becoming fit is your ultimate goal, not just becoming thin.
  
  
• Celebrate minor victories.
  
  
• Throw out the scale; base your weight loss on the way your clothes feel.
  
  
• Remember that you are the one with all of the power to achieve your goals.
  
  
• Don't dwell on your set backs; learn from them and push ahead.
  
  
• Visualize your success: Take a few minutes everyday to visualize how you want to live your life.