In my career as a health professional, I am often approached by people wanting a quick weight-loss or health fix for events such as weddings, holidays or birthdays.
There is far more value in being healthy all the time than simply ‘appearing healthy’ only at times when you feel that you may be in the spotlight.
The ONLY way to achieve this is to establish new, healthy habits and behaviours. These will then lead to the sustainable improved health, increased vitality, and longer life that we all desire.
To make it easy for you, I am giving you 6 simple health practices to do EVERY DAY for the next 30 days. You will see a big improvement in your health over this period and your improved health will inspire you to maintain these practices for the rest of your life.
• Walk briskly for 30 minutes – This daily metabolic stimulation promotes fat loss, builds lean tissue, lowers your stress level, enhances your mood and improves your sleep.
• Relax and focus – Spend ten to twenty minutes each day somewhere quiet where you can relax and focus. It could be first thing in the morning before anyone else is up, or any other quiet time. Deepen and slow down your breathing and focus on your long term health goals. Consider WHY you even want to be healthier. Think about using these 6 practices forever, and the benefits they will bring to your life.
• Drink 2 litres of water – We need up to 1.5 litres per day just to replace the water we lose. Having 2 litres will ensure your cellular function is efficient, your brain is sharper and your body is flushed of toxins. Proper hydration also aids weight loss.
• Eat meals and snacks more slowly – Hormones that trigger the feeling of being full are not released instantly. Eating slowly allows your body time to signal to your brain that your stomach is full and it’s time for you to stop eating, so you will eat less. Properly chewed food is also easier to digest so more nutrients are extracted.
• Eat natural foods and eat less sugar – Try to eat only unprocessed and unrefined food. This rules out crisps, biscuits, white bread, white pasta, sweets, cakes and confectionery. Occasional treats are okay, but regular consumption will lead to ill health, fatigue, poor sleep and uneven energy levels.
• Be as active as you can – As well as walking daily, try the following: take the stairs not the lift, park farther away from the shops, walk the dog more and even join a dance class, exercise class or a gym and go at least once per week.
Committing to the above changes for 30 days is the start of a lifetime of improved health, happiness and vitality. Optimal health will not arrive overnight. It takes time. But maintain your focus and a good daily routine and it will happen.
Start right now, and good luck!!
Rob