5 Ways To Adapt A Healthy Life-Style

With the New Year underway, many people are looking to make a change to their diet. That’s not surprising, as the obesity epidemic is on the rise and many individuals have health concerns.

healthy life style

Unfortunately, for many of us this is easier said than done. Many people may start out strong and have good intentions, but over time become frustrated with their weight and go back to old eating patterns. If you are one of these people, you might be eating the wrong foods. Many people eat too many processed foods and sugary snacks, which can cause weight gain and make you sick. Instead of looking for a quick fix or fad diet to try, what is really needed is a life-style change, including improving your eating habits. In this blog, I wanted to share 5 ways you can adapt a healthy life-style.

5 Ways To Adapt A Healthy Life-style

Eat More Whole Foods—

We all need to get back to the basics of eating. Our ancestors ate from the land and for sustenance. They also ate what was available to them including fruit, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds and meat. Fast-forward and you can easily see how times have changed. Many people today live on fast-food and processed foods, which don’t provide the nutrients your body needs. Although processed foods may contain some nutrients your body needs, they definitely don’t contain the same amount, or the quality provided by whole foods. Many processed foods also contain artificial ingredients, chemicals and preservatives that are hard on your body. Fortunately, we can all make better choices, to adapt a healthy life-style. One of the best things you can do is to eat more vegetables. Vegetables provide vital nutrients your body needs and craves and you can’t get from other sources. Try adding more vegetables to your meals including: breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can also munch on them for a healthy snack. Another way to increase your nutrient intake is to add fruit to your diet. Many fruits contain healthful vitamins, fiber and antioxidants. Strive for 1 to 2 servings per day. You can also make more home-cooked meals to add other whole foods in your diet. Look for recipes that include plenty of vegetables, whole grains, spices or meat.
Have a Strong Connection To Your Community—

It’s a proven fact that having a strong connection to a community can help enrich your life. Many people choose to live in a certain area because of the surroundings, proximity to work, schools, parks or the beautiful scenery. No matter the reason you choose to live in a particular region, why not get out and enjoy it with others in your community? Many cities have walking or biking trails. Maybe you can take a walk with a neighbor? Better yet—allow your walk to be an opportunity to get to know someone you see on the trails. There are many ways to befriend others. Many cities provide community events and get-together’s, which are a great way to foster connections. You can also join a local group or volunteer your time at a food shelf, non-profit organization, school or church to meet others. There are many possibilities.
Strong Relationships—

Relationships play a big part in our day to day lives and can have a tremendous impact on our outlook and demeanor. That is why it is important to make sure you have enough significant relationships in your life. Healthy relationships with family, friends, co-workers and neighbors can help you feel grounded and connected. In addition, they can make you feel needed and loved, which is important for well-being. When people don’t have enough relationships in their life, they can feel lost and alone. In fact, in my book, Wholey Cow A Simple Guide To eating And Living, I talk about how feelings of emptiness can arise, as well as physical symptoms in the body, when there aren’t enough connections to others. Some ways you can establish strong relationships in your life include: joining a church group, bowling league, health club, tennis team, or golf team. You can also make it a priority to get together with family members, if they live close by. Whether you meet for coffee, dinner or just hang out to catch up, family time is important and can be invaluable for your health.
Move More—

Your body was meant to move. Unfortunately, our society today has become more sedentary than past generations. Many people have desk jobs and sit in front of a computer all day. Additionally, many people live fast-paced lives and don’t seem to have the energy when they get home from work to exercise and would rather be a couch potato. Exercise and activity however, are just what your body needs to feel balanced and alive.The good news is there are plenty of ways to stay active. Why not go on a walk, run, or a bike ride after work? If you like working out, you can head to a gym in your community or find one close by work. Many gyms have free weights, exercise bands, and a variety of equipment to help rev up your body. Many gyms provide group classes for yoga, kick boxing, cycling, zumba and more. If those activities don’t interest you, find some other activity that does. It may be as simple as looking back at your childhood to find something you like. Perhaps you enjoyed playing basketball as kid? Why not take up the sport again? Maybe you liked to swing at the park or climb the monkey bars? Most likely you can find a park near by to give it a try again. You can also try jumping rope, hula hooping, or hop scotch. There are many possibilities to get moving and bring some childhood joy back to life.
Purposeful Work—

We spend a big part of our day and our lives working. That is why it is important to find something that you like to do. Many people get a lot of satisfaction from working. Some people specifically look for careers to express their passions and use their God-given skills, which can provide tremendous fulfillment. If you have a job however, that is not as fulfilling as you like, why not look for something outside of work, such as hobby or volunteering for fulfillment? True joy and contentment come from living our passions and being connected to others.