Healthiness Equals Happiness

Chandi Schwab
We are always talking about how our main focus or goal is to help people create a healthy lifestyle. What does that mean exactly? The list is endless, but the trick to healthy living is making small changes...taking more steps, like adding fruit to your cereal, or having an extra glass of water...these are just a few ways you can start living healthy without drastic changes.

Exercise

One of the biggest problems in America today is lack of activity. We know it's good for us but still seem to avoid it either because we're used to being sedentary or afraid that exercise has to be vigorous to be worth our time. The truth is, movement is movement and the more you do, the healthier you'll be. Even moderate activities like chores, gardening and walking can make a difference.

Just adding a little movement to your life can:

•Reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes
•Improve joint stability
•Increase and improve range of movement
•Help maintain flexibility as you age
•Maintain bone mass
•Prevent osteoporosis and fractures
•Improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
•Enhance self esteem
•Improve memory in elderly people
•Reduce stress

So, even if you decide to start with small changes and a more modest weight loss, you can see the benefits are still pretty good. One study has found that just a 10% weight reduction helped obese patients reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and increase longevity.

Simple Ways to Move Your Body

You can start the process of weight loss now by adding a little more activity to your life. If you're not ready for a structured program, start small. Every little bit counts and it all adds up to burning more calories.

•Turn off the TV. Once a week: turn off the TV and do something a little more physical with your family. Play games, take a walk...almost anything will be more active than sitting on the couch.
•Walk more: Look for small ways to walk more. When you get the mail, take a walk around the block, take the dog for an extra outing each day or walk on your treadmill for 5 minutes before getting ready for work.
•Do some chores: Shoveling snow, working in the garden, raking leaves, sweeping the floor...these kinds of activities may not be 'vigorous' exercise, but they can keep you moving while getting your house in order.
•Pace while you talk. When you're on the phone, pace around or even do some cleaning while gabbing. This is a great way to stay moving while doing something you enjoy.
•Be aware: Make a list of all the physical activities you do on a typical day. If you find that the bulk of your time is spent sitting, make another list of all the ways you could move more--getting up each hour to stretch or walk, walk the stairs at work, etc.

By choosing to live a healthy lifestyle you are choosing happiness for yourself and also establishing good habits and happiness for generations to come, how can you deny that? Good luck! And keep up the great work!