Health is wealth. It may sound cliche but the truth is, everything in our life stems from having a healthy and sound body. If our body collapses-everything else follows. Getting fit and healthy though may seem a daunting task, but I would advise to not get intimidated by it. Great things start from small beginnings, and here are some simple and easy steps to take for a healthier you.
Start Simple
If you sit at a desk all day, you can try those under desk elliptical that you can use during breaks or your lunch. Going out for a walk at lunchtime instead of staying in the home or office to eat your lunch at your desk. Try adding some exercise into your commute by walking or cycling to work or getting off public transport a couple of stops early and walking the rest of the way. Walk the dog more often—both your body and your pup will thank you.
Find a Purpose
First, we must know our WHY. For me, my WHY is I want to become more healthy because I want to spend more, longer time with my children. I want to be able to see my daughters finishing college, getting their careers, getting married and see my grandkids. When hit 40, I started getting mindful of what I eat. I also observed that my metabolism started getting slow and so it will require more effort from me to lose and be fit than I was 10 0r 20 years ago. Having the right motivation prioritize health is if it is going to deliver some kind of benefit that is truly compelling and valuable to our daily life.
Set Goals
If you start exercising without a plan, you will never make any progress. Goals need to be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and have a time-frame. Set simple attainable goals like “I want to lose 5kg in weight and fit into a size 12 pair of jeans by the end of the year” or “I want to be able to run a 5k without stopping by the end of next month”. You will be far more likely to succeed this way. Be realistic and prepared to put in the work to achieve the results you want.
Nurture Your Body
As you become more active, you’ll need more food, but not just any food—you need healthy, energy-laden food that will jump-start the next phase of your day, not weigh it down. Cut out unhealthy snacks and replace them with fruits and vegetables. The high fiber and water content will make you feel full, and the high vitamin and mineral content will nourish and transform your body naturally. Try to make meals that are half fruits and half veggies. Keep yourself hydrated and drink 1.5-2 liters of water everyday. Water takes up a great volume in your stomach, so you will feel fuller without having consumed many snacks or meals.
Be Kind to Yourself
So many people quit because they are not seeing instant results or because they expected the process to be quicker. Be kind to yourself and learn the art of RESTART. Everyday is a new day. Getting and staying fit is a lifelong commitment which will benefit you well into old age. Think of your body as an investment and take good care of it in the long term. Don’t set unrealistic goals and don’t give up when things get hard. You only get one body after all!