New Year...New You! TIPS to a Healthy 2010!
Tip 1: Eat Healthy Eating healthy is a key component to weight maintenance and weight loss. Strive to find a balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates with all of your meals and snacks. In addition, make sure to include plenty of fruits and veggies. Load your plate up with these first so there is less room for other less healthy foods. Work to cut out some of those unnecessary foods that you tend to eat out of habit and don’t forget to eat breakfast!
Tip 2: Drink Water Water has numerous benefits and can do a lot more for you than just keep you hydrated. In fact, water can assist with the weight loss process. If you are trying to lose a little bit of weight, add an extra glass of water for every 25 pounds you are overweight (this is in addition to the 8 glasses everyone needs). Also, strive to eliminate some of the high sugar, high calorie drinks that you may consume and replace them with water.
Tip 3: Keep a Food Journal Using a food journal can be a great way to keep track of how many calories you are actually consuming. This will help keep you honest and let you gauge how much food you need to maintain or lose weight.
Tip 4: Get Moving! It is important to include cardiovascular exercise in your daily routine. Strive for 30 minutes of cardio each day. Make sure to find something you enjoy doing and occasionally switch activities to keep you from getting bored with your routine. Whenever you can, increase your heart rate by taking the stairs, parking at the back of the parking lot and walking in, etc.
Tip 5: Pump Some Iron Resistance training is needed to help improve the strength and stamina of your muscles. The more muscle mass that you have, the more calories you will burn. Aim to include resistance training 2-3 times per week. And remember, if you consistently burn 500 more calories than you eat each day for a week, you will lose one pound a week!