Tips To Keep You Healthy

While on one side, we have countries where people do not have enough food to eat, on the other side, we have developed and developing nations where obesity is tightening its grip. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity in the world has become twice since 1980. According to WHO’s 2011 survey, more than 40 million children under the age of five were overweight.

The CDC says that obese youths are more prone to cardiovascular diseases such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Pre-diabetes is also a danger to obese adolescents. While conditions such as bone and joint problems and sleep apnea are associated with obesity, there are also social and psychological issues that crop up due to obesity. Long-term health effects such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancer and osteoarthritis have been related to obesity.

Since these figures are startling and horrifying, it is best in our interests to take charge of our lives, and follow a healthy lifestyle to combat obesity.

Let us first list the factors that cause obesity:

• Sedentary lifestyle
• Fast Foods (McDonalds, Pizza Hut etc.) and aerated drinks
• Little exercise
• Video Games
• Sugar Free products such as low fat chips, sugar free biscuits and more.
• Less roughage in diet
• Processed foods
• Genetics

Again, these are some of the factors. There could be more indirect or direct factors that cause weight gain. But these points cover most of the causes of obesity.

How to fight obesity? This is a simple, yet thought-provoking question. In a scenario where fast foods and fad diets have become embedded in our lifestyle, how can we devise an effective formula to ward off obesity?  Before you read any further, let me tell you that there is NO particular formula for losing excessive weight. Of course, you can find several health and fitness tips on the Internet. Some work; some do not.  Several fitness experts advocate the so-called best weight loss tips. However, you are asked to spend a hundreds of dollars in such programs.

I do not say that all health care tips promoted by fitness companies are useless. In fact, there are several weight loss tips that do work. The problem is that natural health tips that work for your friend may or may not work on you. Hence, I strongly stand against this one-size-fits-all approach in weight loss.

Now that I have much criticized the fad diets and workouts, I am indebted to provide you the ‘genuine’ good health tips that will help shed pounds, and keep you healthy for long.

Monitor How Much You Eat

The general rile for weight loss is that calories consumed should be less than calories burned. For example, 1-pound fat contains 3,500 calories. And to lose this 1 pound of fat, you will have to create calorie shortage of 3,500 calories.

If you want to lose weight, you will have to burn more calories than you consume. And you can achieve this by increasing your physical activity. Believe me, if you understand this simple concept, you will never fall prey to expensive diet- or fitness programs.

Monitor WHAT You Eat

Actually, you already know what’s good for your health and what’s bad. Here are some of the things that should be a part of a balanced diet for weight loss:

• Green Vegetables such as spinach
• Low Fat Milk
• Eggs (not more than 3-4 a day)
• Lean Meat and other protein rich foods
• Healthy fats such as Omega 3, Olive Oil

Eat Small Meals

Five smaller meals spaced out throughout the day is definitely better than eating three large meals. When you eat regular meals, you will feel less hungry. This, in turn, would translate into fewer calories. Here is some surprising news. If you take 1 glass of red wine a day, you will stay healthier. Studies reveal that people who drink wine daily have lower body mass than those who consume wine occasionally.

Antioxidants are associated with a range of health benefits such as reversing short=term memory loss, fighting cancer, and reversing aging. The phytonutrients and antioxidant anthocyanadins present in berries offer a number of nutritional benefits. Eat berries as a part of a healthy diet.

Exercise

You all know that exercising is important to lead a healthy life. What you may not know is that one kind of exercise is not sufficient. I have seen posts that promote cardio and others that emphasize on weight-assisted workouts. Which is better? If you want to get the most out of your weight loss program, include both cardio and weight-assisted workouts. You can perform cardio 3-4 times a week, and workout at the gym with weight 2-3 times a week. This way you will not only lose weight but also get a toned physique. Do not waste time thinking which form of cardio is better- running or jumping rope. Perform a cardio exercise that you can stick with for a longer period.

I am sure the healthy diet tips mentioned here will help you lose weight without seeking aid from supplements or weight loss pills.