Tuesday, February 17, 2009

How To Improve Your Health And Fitness For The Long-Term

By Bradley J. Teele

If you're not getting results from a new diet or workout program, there may be other ways for you to maintain a healthy weight. Getting fit and healthy doesn't require expensive nutritional supplements or deprivation diets, and experts say you'll need a healthy plan for long-term health and fitness so you don't gain weight as you age.

The authors of Prevention Magazine's book 'No-Fail Fitness Tips' say that there are several ways to reverse the metabolic slowdown as we age and avoid putting on extra weight. From eating regular meals to participating in resistance training on a regular basis, here are some effective ways to ward off weight gain and get in shape regardless of your age and fitness level:

Walk more often. One of the simplest and most efficient ways to burn calories suited for all ages and fitness levels is 'walking'. It's both cost-effective and manageable since you don't have set about formal walking program to drive positive results. You can do so by taking the stairs instead of the elevators. You can park your car farther away from your office or destination, and do more errands on foot instead of driving. Walking keeps healthy all your core muscle groups and speeds up circulation.

Eat high-protein snacks throughout the day. Eating small meals throughout the day will keep your metabolism running in high gear, and high-protein snacks are particularly effective in curbing the appetite. Stock up on lean protein and healthy snacks such as mozzarella cheese sticks, low fat yogurt and other sources of protein each day so you can keep your appetite in check and avoid overeating at mealtime.

Exercise daily at the same time. Every day, it is necessary to allot about 30 - 45 minutes in your exercise for you to reduce unwanted body fats effectively. Exercising as a regular routine facilitates sticking with any kind of fitness regiment. In fact, if you really intend to increase your metabolism, do this for the long-term.

Stop thinking about 'good' and 'bad' foods. Changing a lifetime of negative eating habits can be hard, but making simple shifts in your attitude towards food can help you in the short and long term. Instead of avoiding or eliminating certain types of food from your diet, make a conscious decision to simply eat smaller portions of all foods so that you are staying within your daily calorie limit but not suffering from deprivation in the process.

Have a quality sleep. Enough rest and deep sleep can keep you away from binging and thus speeds up your metabolism. At least seven to eight hours of sleep everyday is necessary to stay physically and mentally healthy.

Making small changes to your lifestyle consistently will help you reach your health and fitness goals and reduce the chances of gaining weight as you age. Start shifting towards a healthier lifestyle by incorporating any of the above strategies into your weekly schedule and you'll be well on your way to weight loss success and a healthy outlook about food.

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