Not all of us are extreme health nuts, and when it comes to everyday life, I know it is not the first thing that crosses my mind. However, there are simple things to do that can make your day healthier. I am definitely not going to tell you that lifting weights and going on a strict diet is the way to go. I understand that not everyone can hit the gym all the time, and diets are difficult to maintain. In my honest opinion, diets are a waste of time because not everyone is the same. The diet might work for you and not for me or vice versa, but there are simple things to do that will make both you and me healthier.
These are my five health tips that will make your body happy:
1. Take the stairs. On my campus, the stairs are ridiculous; I am always climbing. The best way to build leg muscles, especially your calves, is by walking on inclines. Stairs are inclines plus some. I guarantee that your legs muscles will grow stronger, and you will add some cardio exercise to your day as well. I am not saying that you have to run up the stairs or take two at a time, but improving your cardio and building your muscles are always a good thing.
2. Drink water. I know when you have to wake up for an 8 a.m. class, it is difficult to stay away from the caffeine, but if you reach for a bottle of water, you will already be starting your day healthy. I am not going to tell you to cut out soda or Gatorade but I am telling you to limit them. If you go out to eat, drink water. You will actually eat more of your food by ordering water instead of soda because it does not fill you up as fast. If you are just having a small snack between classes, drink water. Water will keep you cleaned out and your insides will thank you for not destroying them with the harmful chemicals found in sodas.
3. Read the labels. You do not have to count calories or make sure you are getting precisely the exact amount of your daily nutrients. If you do that, then that is great! Keep up the good work! As for everyone else, including myself, I do not have the patience to keep up with everything I consume in a day. My tip to you is if you are deciding between two snacks, look at the benefits. I always check for protein and sugars. For example, I have a Belvita soft baked breakfast bar and a pack of Oreos sitting beside me. The Belvita bar has three grams of protein, nine grams of sugars, and is 190 calories. In comparison, two Oreo cookies have less than one gram of protein, 12 grams of sugars, and 150 calories. The choice is clear which is the better snack, but I might choose the Oreos anyway. The key in that case is not eat very many. Portions make the difference when looking at "junk" food.
4. Stop eating when your body tells you it is full. I know when you go out to eat you have the mindset that since you are paying so much for a meal that you have to eat it all. Fun fact of the day: you don't. That is why they make to-go boxes, and there is nothing wrong with leftovers. If you quit eating when your stomach is telling you that it is full, your metabolism will level itself out. That means you will not over eat nor will you under eat. If it slows your metabolism down, then you will probably eat more at meals like lunch and dinner, but you will not find the need to snack in between. If it speeds up, then you will find that you will not eat as much during the big meals, but you will need small snacks in between. Both are acceptable, and you will find that you are not over eating when you stomach is saying to quit. If you are not hungry, do not eat.
5. Do a small, routine exercise before bed. I'm not saying you have to a 30-minute workout, but if you do one set of 10 reps, you will notice a difference in your body over time. Do 10 squats or 20 crunches, something small. If you do these every night before you go to sleep, it will become part of your routine, and you will get into the habit of doing them. Over time, you may feel like building up your number. For example, instead of doing 10 squats, you double up to 20 squats. Just keep a routine body weight exercise in your routine and you will notice a difference. Anything is better than nothing, and do what makes you comfortable.
I can guarantee that if you implement these five tips into your life, your body will start feeling better, and you will find that you will be happier. I know because I used to not care about any of it. I ate and drank whatever I wanted, but as soon as I started watching what and how much I ate, I did not feel as miserable after eating so much. Drinking water has kept my body in better shape. It really is the little things that make the difference, and once you start making healthier choices, it will begin to come naturally to you, and you will make more of them more often.
Keep your body happy!
