4 Steps to a Healthy Lifestyle

Test yourself: How do your habits measure up?

Think you're leading a healthy lifestyle? apart from occasionally veering off the trail , most folks think we do a good job of maintaining our health with good (or a minimum of OK) eating habits and physical activity whenever we manage to suit it in. But is that enough to be considered "healthy?"

According to a recent study, only a few adults actually meet the standards for a healthy lifestyle. The study, published within the Archives of general medicine , showed that only 3% of yank adults got an ideal score on what the authors say are the four basic criteria for healthy living. Just 13.8% met 3 of the criteria; 34.2% met only two criteria. Women scored slightly better than men.

See how well you qualify on the researchers' four keys to healthfulness:

Do you smoke?
Are you ready to maintain a healthy weight (a BMI of 18-25), or are you successfully losing weight to achieve a healthy weight?
Do you erode least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily?
Do you exercise half-hour or more, 5 times a week?

The good news is that these behaviors shouldn't be foreign to you, as about one are an integral a part of the load Loss Clinic. Numbers 2 through 4 are the inspiration of the WLC program, habits that we continually discuss, write on , and recommend.

Everyone knows smoking is bad for your health. If you're one among the lucky ones who never became hooked in to nicotine, pat yourself on the rear . Smokers, I hope you're working diligently to kick your habit. It's impossible to underestimate the importance of a smoke-free life for your health -- also as for the sake of these around you.

4 Steps and More

While those four habit are indisputably important for a healthy lifestyle, some may argue that more factors should be taken into consideration. What would get on your list?

Just for fun, I came up with my very own personal top ten lists of healthy behavior (beyond the four basics) that contribute to wellness and satisfaction with one's lifestyle:

Brush and floss daily to stay your teeth and gums healthy and freed from disease.
Get an honest night's rest. Well-rested people not only cope better with stress, but can also have better control of their appetites. Research has shown that a scarcity of sleep can put our "hunger hormones" out of balance -- and possibly trigger overeating.
Enjoy regular family meals. this enables parents to function good role models, can promote more nutritious eating, and sets the stage for lively conversations. Being connected to family and/or friends may be a powerful aspect of a healthy life.
Smile and laugh aloud several times each day . It keeps you grounded, and helps you deal with situations that might otherwise cause you to crazy. Read the comic, watch a sitcom, or tell joke to bring out those happy feelings.
Meditate, pray, or otherwise find solace for a minimum of 10-20 minutes every day . Contemplation is sweet for your soul, helps you deal with the stress of lifestyle , and should even help lower your vital sign .
Get a pedometer and let it motivate you to steer , walk, walk. ditch what percentage minutes of activity you need; just do everything you'll to suit more steps into your day. regardless of how you catch on , physical activity can help defuse stress, burn calories, and boost self-esteem.
Stand up straight. You'll look 5 pound lighter if you stand tall and tighten your abdominal muscles. Whenever you walk, think "tall and tight" to urge the foremost out of the movement.
Try yoga. The poses help increase strength and adaptability and improve balance. These are critical areas for older folks especially, and both men and ladies can benefit.
Power up the protein. This nutrient is an important a part of your eating plan, and may structure anywhere from 10%-35% of your total calories. Protein lasts an extended time in your belly; combine it with high-fiber foods and you will feel full on fewer calories. Enjoy small portion of nuts, low-fat dairy, beans, lean meat, poultry, or fish.
Last but not least, have a positive attitude. Do your best to seem at life as if "the glass is half full." you want to believe yourself, have good support systems, and think positively ("I think I can, i feel I can…") to succeed.

It's All about You

Your list of healthy lifestyle behaviors could also be different from mine. the foremost important thing to recollect is that you simply can make a difference in your health and well-being. take hold of your life, and be mindful of small behavior changes which will make your lifestyle a healthier one.