Health and Fitness Top Ten for 2010 WLFI-18

Health and Fitness TOP TEN List for 2010    As Seen on WLFI-18 

10.  Moderate

Moderation means enjoying foods we love, but not overdoing it.   So it doesn’t mean you can’t ever have ice cream, you just shouldn’t eat the whole carton in one sitting.

 9.  Substitute

Substitution is replacing high-fat, high-calorie ingredients or foods with lower fat alternatives.   Finding ways to replace oils in recipes with applesauce, or simply using non-fat or lowfat products in place of regular products.

 8.  Innovate

Innovation involves developing new tasty recipes that are destined to become new favorites.   Using spices and new flavors you can create foods that have great taste with less fat and calories.

 7.  Drink Water

Our bodies really prefer water to other thirst quenching sources.  Water has a number of benefits.   Staying well hydrated is good for your skin and digestive health.   Often we snack or eat….when all our body really wants is some hydration.   Next time you are tempted to snack try a glass of water it may be all your body really wants to be satisfied.  Water is calorie free, so many other liquids are loaded with unnecessary calories.

 6.  Lose the Soda

If you poured yourself a glass of water would you really want to add 8 teaspoons of sugar to it?   If you lose the soda you normally drink every day you could lose a lb a week or 52 lbs in 2010!   Oh and if you only drink diet soda, you could still lose weight.   Diet soda is an appetite stimulant and can disrupt your hydration.   If you consume soda use the principle of moderation much more in 2010.

 5.  Start a Smoking Cessation Program

Do something positive about your habit of smoking.   You need to plan to quit, and joining a smoking cessation program can be a great start.  The number of health consequences related to smoking are simply too numerous to list.  But if cancer and cardiovascular disease the top two killers in our country aren’t enough to motivate you to drop the habit, maybe saving $1000 this year could motivate you.   The average smoker of  1 pack per day spends over $1000 per year on a habit that has no positive benefits.

 4.  Move More

If you find your self spending all your day sitting, start moving.   Find ways to add walking into your work day.   Park farther away, take the stairs every chance you get.  Look for chances to exercise and get movement for your body. Consider joining a health club or hiring a personal trainer.

 3.  Strength Train

Walking, Running, cardio training is not enough.   Your muscles, joints and bones need strength training.   You can use your body weight, dumbbells, barbells, machines, resistance bands.   If you don’t strength train you will lose muscle and bone density much more quickly as you age.

 2.  Meet with a Fitness Professional

Even 1 hr with a Fitness Professional can give you new tools and a new outlook on your fitness goals.   You should choose wisely.   Anyone can claim to be a personal trainer, seek out a degreed professional with expertise in the areas you need most help.   If you are going to accomplish major lifestyle goals you need someone to give you a structured and realistic plan.

 1.  Know your Purpose

You can make some or many changes in your life and lifestyle in 2010, but if you don’t know your ultimate purpose or meaning in life will any of it matter?   Is it time you seriously investigate what life is all about.   Is there a real reason why any of these lifestyle behaviors matter?   Lose wt, exercise, quit smoking, eat healthy….what gives your life ultimate meaning.