Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Appreciating Health and Fitness

Practically everyone wants to be fit and feel good. Getting there however is sometimes incredibly difficult for some. It is important to understand just how important a healthy body is to your overall state of mind as well as your physical health.

One of the major problems affecting the United States as well as the rest of the world is a burgeoning rate of obesity. The statistics show that obesity is on an incredible rise and may soon become the norm for the majority of people. This carries with it some serious health risks. Type II Diabetes has becoming increasingly common and other weight related health problems are skyrocketing as well.

It is easy to sit back and say that it won't happen to you or that you'll do something about it tomorrow. But the fact remains that obesity and ill health are a problem and it is vital to take the steps to correct it. Even if you are not suffering from any weight problems, you may not be as healthy as you think. Poor diets and lack of exercise lead to increased cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and a myriad of other silent issues that can sneak up on you.

What can you do to begin a healthy life5B4style today instead of tomorrow? Start by taking one day to catalog each and every single thing you eat or drink during that day. Also make a note of any exercise that you get during this time. At the end of the day, add up how many calories and fat you consumed. Chances are, the numbers will shock you.

The average woman needs between 1200 to 1800 calories per day. The average American woman typically consumes more than 2000 on any given day. Males need an average of 1800 to 2500, but once again, actual consumption rates are much higher. To put this into perspective, it takes 3500 additional calories to gain one pound. If you are eating more than 500 calories than you need each day, this translates into the gain of one pound a week.

Once you know how many calories you are consuming you can begin to craft a lifestyle plan that will help you get within your goals. Try cutting out sodas or drinks that contain empty calories. This is a great way to drop an extra five to ten pounds. Look at your exercise level and see how you can increase your activity slowly. Try walking instead of taking the elevator, or walking during your lunch hour.

Small changes are much easier to make and it makes it so much easier to start living a healthy life. Your body will have time to adjust and won't begin hoarding calories if you take this approach. Start small and generally increase your level of activity as the weeks go by. You'll be making4F1 steady progress towards achieving a healthy body in no time at all and the best part is, you'll feel great doing it.

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