Healthy living is a massive industry which, in many cases, can feel like it exists just to make you feel worse about yourself. No, not everyone will look as great as the yoga model you follow on Instagram. You also won?t always have the time (or the inclination) to go to the gym and hire a personal trainer. Healthy foods seem more expensive than unhealthy ones, they are quicker to prepare and eat, and so on. There are so many reasons why you aren?t healthy, but the secret is that you can be much healthier without much effort using these tips:
For Cheaper Food, Look to the Frozen Aisle
One of the biggest hiccups that the average American faces when it comes to getting healthier is finding healthy food options. In the United States, only carbohydrates that are predominately used to feed livestock and create biofuels are subsidized, like corn or wheat. Now, these two foods aren?t unhealthy in and of themselves, but the subsidized corn also means that adding corn syrup can be a cheap way to process foods. The government does not subsidize fresh produce, which can mean that those healthy eating goals are just another way those better off can lead a better life.
All is not lost, however. Frozen food is typically much cheaper than its fresh counterparts, as it can be stored for a long period of time. These frozen foods contain the same if not more nutrients than their fresh counterparts, depending on how long the ?fresh? food has been in transit. It means that everyone, no matter what your budget is, can add more nutritious food to your diet. As it is frozen, you also don?t need to worry about it going off and wasting it, either.
To truly help your health, however, you will have to break up with processed foods. These foods are cheap and delicious, but they contain little nutrients, and the chemical process involved in some of them means your body can?t absorb what little nutrients that they have. These processed foods are commonly linked to the higher obesity rates in America, and, though they can be hard to quit, you can do it. Start by clearing out your home of all processed foods and stocking up on healthier, more wholesome alternatives.
Making Your Diet Work for You
If you want to go one step further and make your diet work for you and achieve your health or fitness goals, you need to know what you are missing, and you need to know your options. The healthy body is one that is supported by healthy macronutrients and enough of the essential vitamins and minerals.
When it comes to healthy eating, it is these very same macronutrients that are often forgotten. You need them to survive because it is these proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that help your body keep going. These are the fuels that you use to live. That being said, changing the percentage of which macronutrients you eat can have varying effects on the body. The ketogenic diet is infamous for this. What the ketogenic diet does is it reduces your consumption of carbohydrates and increases your source of fats. This has many obvious benefits, like weight loss, but more unexpected benefits like improved energy and alertness.
Adhering to these specialized diets, however, can be difficult, which is why you should view here to see if a meal plan service could work for you.
Always Water
The cheapest drink is water, and yet water is arguably the best drink for our bodies. We need to stay hydrated in order to be healthy, energized, and alert. Water, however, also has extra benefits in its ability to cleanse your body of toxins, reduce headaches, improve your immune system, and regulates your metabolism. Water helps you in so many ways, and, as it has no nutrients or calories, it can be consumed without any side effects.
Water is the gift of life, and just by switching to water instead of any other drink you can promote weight loss, improve your natural energy, and greatly benefit your life all around.
Exercising for Everyone
The biggest mistake you can make when it comes to exercising is that assuming that not being able to go to the gym means that there is nothing you can do. There are so many free and easy exercises to help you get in better shape, and the benefits of exercising are huge.
Exercising tones up your body and helps you burn more calories (leading to weight loss), yes, but it also helps you feel more energized, alert, and happier. When you exercise your body releases endorphins, the feel-good hormone. Regular exercise also strengthens your heart, lowers your blood pressure, and helps your body stay fit. Combined this means a better life for you tomorrow and a better quality of life as you age.
Getting fit doesn?t require a personal trainer, either. You can take a walk in the morning, bike to work, take the stairs, or even just to more fun things like dance around your living room. It is advised that you get at least thirty minutes of exercise every day, but those thirty minutes don?t have to be done all at once. You can do ten minutes in the morning, ten minutes at lunch, and ten minutes when you get home. Even if you don?t see a difference physically, your body is still thanking you.
If you do want to tone up, of course, there are many exercise videos and tutorials you can follow for free online. Just clear a space in your living room and make some time every day or every other day to do them.
The Importance of Consistency
One healthy day will not make up for all the unhealthy ones. The only way to see real change is to be consistent with your efforts. To help you out you should recruit a friend to join you on your healthy journey. Even the smallest changes can make a big impact if you do them every single day.
