A healthy diet and plenty of exercise are necessary for weight loss, but what about the other benefits of an active, healthy lifestyle? Taking good care of your body is no guarantee of a long lifespan, but it can certainly stack the odds in your favor. Here are five healthy habits to adopt as you follow your diet-and-exercise plan, both for weight loss and good overall health, both of which can help keep you feeling young!
1. Keep moving! Whether or not you like exercise, keep your body moving. Think about ways to integrate more movement into your day, and just do it. You know some of the tricks: park farther away from the grocery store, take the stairs instead of the elevator, get a dog and walk it. The more you move, the better you’ll feel (and the more weight you’ll lose)!
2. Eat whole grains in the morning. Such a breakfast might keep your blood sugar levels at an even keel, making you feel better and potentially staving off diabetes, which can subtract years from your life. Also, whole grains keep you fuller than refined, white grains (like sugary cereal or white bagels), and can help you avoid the mid-morning munchies. Try a bowl of oatmeal, some granola, or whole wheat toast.
3. Get your vitamins from the foods that you eat. Dietary supplements have their place, to be sure, but try to get the nutrients you need from real foods. Eating a wide variety of lean dairy products, poultry, fish, whole grains, fruits, veggies, and heart-healthy fats will help you get what you need. You’ll better absorb the age-defying antioxidants than if you were to get them from a bottle. Ask your doctor before you add or subtract vitamins from your daily regimen.
4. Find some support. In all things, including weight-loss, a support group can often help. If you currently don’t have friends or family members who are embarking on a healthier lifestyle, then go find some new acquaintances! Whether it’s a diet support group (like Weight Watchers), meeting a group of friends for a daily walk, or joining a support group for a health condition, having friends with whom you can commiserate and, more importantly, laugh, can help keep you young.
5. Stick to a routine. A daily routine can help keep stress at bay, and lower levels of stress can help you fight all sorts of illnesses and other maladies related to aging. Don’t let your schedule rule your life, but have regular times for waking up, eating, exercising, working, playing and sleeping. Becoming a creature of habit also will help you stick with the new habits that you’ve picked up and incorporated into your routine!
Losing excess pounds and maintaining a healthy weight can help you stay young for many years to come. What are your favorite tricks for feeling youthful?