- Laugh More.
There’s a reason they say laughter is the best medicine. Studies from the University of Maryland show that while relieving stress, laughter promotes a smooth blood flow and healthy blood vessels.
- Don’t Worry So Much About Calories.
Calories aren’t the enemy. Calories are energy. If you boil down everything you eat to meaningless math, it takes all the fun out of food. Nutrition isn’t just simple numbers, but a commitment to knowing what’s in what you eat and taking ownership of it.
- Get a Dog.
According to research, people who have dogs are twice as likely as those without to engage in regular exercise, probably because that adorable little mutt takes a half hour of schlepping before he shits.
- Eat Actual Food.
If you can point to the food in Cheetos, I’ll give you a dollar. That doesn’t mean you can’t eat Cheetos, just remember that it’s empty calories, so you need to balance it out with something that has actual nutrients in it.
- Switch to Water.
Americans are chronic snackers, but routinely filling up with water instead not only helps you meet your daily needs (of up to a gallon a day) but cuts back on that constant craving for a nosh.
- Eat More Fish.
Nutritionists have long argued for the merits of the Mediterranean diet (high in white meat and fish), because fish is high in Omega-3s. There’s a reason that Italians live longer. Having a healthy amount of fish can lower your risk of heart disease by up to 33%.
- Drink Your Wine, Shelby.
Although moderate alcohol consumption, in general, helps prevent blood clots and artery build up while lowering cholesterol, the antioxidants in wine are argued to have a particularly positive effect — so long as you don’t drink too much. The same goes for the antioxidants in coffee. Moderation is key.
- Be Active in Your Downtime.
You don’t have to go on a 30-mile run, but switching that cafe date to a coffee walk-and-talk allows you to get outside and burn calories while you have your gossip session.
- Snack with Fruit.
But of course, we all love to snack anyway (because of hummus) so just nosh healthier, and there’s no better snack than nature’s dessert. Grapes, bananas, and strawberries are perfect replacements for those tasty-looking Doritos.
- Or Grab Your Nuts Instead.
Masturbation is great (and a wonderful form of cardio), but I’m talking about the food kind. Nuts are a great form of protein and a great substitute for snacks that are high in fat. It helps get rid of that bad cholesterol your doctor is always warning you about.
- Stop Smoking.
You won’t gain weight. I quit six months ago, and I’ve never been healthier in my life. It helped me stay active when I wasn’t constantly gasping for breath, and promote a healthier mentality. When you’re smoking, it’s not just the cigarettes that are killing you. It’s you.
- Take Work Breaks.
In addition to being mind-numbing, sitting at a desk for hours on end has been shown to have a negative effect on overall health