13 Ways to Improve Your Health Today!

I’ve been seeing magazines on the stands when I’m buying groceries and always see what editors seem to think is ‘ground breaking’ news in terms of ways to improve your health.

So, honestly I took a look through one mag and thought up a few of my own ways to take baby steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

Some things are easier than others to do, and some are kinda silly and fun. Here goes:

Go Commando

Who needs the extra laundry?? Going panty-less decreases your risk for vaginal infections (which are more common in midlife, thanks to hormonal changes). Have some fun with this one, but think things through. I once made a poor choice on a summer day with a strong wind, seriously, you can just imagine…

Use It or Lose It

Sex that is. Good for SO many reasons, not the least of which is to keep the pelvic floor muscles strong and blood vessels dilated. (And you won’t go blind if you, you know what, if you don’t have a partner.)

Turn OFF the Idiot Box

The light from TV can disrupt sleep rhythms and you won’t get into REM, the more restful stages of deep sleep you need. It’s best to choose a book to relax with before shutting it down for the evening. Or, refer to the previous tip…

Get in the Kitchen

When you make your own meals, you know what’s going into them and can use healthy ingredients. Why does restaurant food taste so good? They often use tons of butter and other unhealthy ingredients, so at the very least, make your server work for their tip by special ordering everything to your exact nutritional specifications to make it the healthiest choice you can make.

Have a Glass

If you aren’t trying to cut calories, you can enjoy a glass of wine once in a while. Studies show that those that indulge in one alcoholic beverage are less likely to have heart troubles. Would it be wrong to say that those that indulge occasionally can reduce other troubles as well? Maybe I’m saying too much here, but to many, life with out wine is not really worth living…(all in moderation of course!).

No White Carbs

Ban all things white: sugar, flour, breads, bagels, rice, potatoes, etc. Introduce more brown rice, barley, rye, oats, quinoa and other interesting grains into your diet. Make friends with soluble fiber to help lower cholesterol.

Bloating Be Gone

Probiotics found in yogurt are healthy gut organisms that can help to combat stomach problems. We eat too much processed foods and not enough fruit and veggies which can lead to gas and bloating. Never a good thing and yogurt is an easy possible solution.

Spice it Up

Spice is well, the spice of life! Use fresh herbs and spices and cut back on salt and fats.

Downsize Your Dishes

It sounds simple but can really help your mind set. If your plate looks empty, your stomach may feel the same. Just replace your oversize dinner plates with smaller salad plates and you could cut one-third of the calories in each meal.

Smile

Try to see the cup as half full instead of half empty. An optimistic attitude changes everything. Life tends to be a self fulfilling prophecy, so envision what you want and make it happen.

Sunscreen is a Must

Always wear an SPF 15 if possible, even in the dead of winter. You may save yourself from skin cancer and you’ll prevent future skin damage so you’ll benefit with looking younger.

Intensify Workouts

HIIT – High intensity interval training is the way to go! Sweat it up for improved fitness and fat loss. Now where have we heard that before??

Include Resistance Training

Maintain and build lean muscle mass, even with your own body weight workouts. Women in their 40s have 10 pounds less muscle mass than they had in their 20s. And by their 50s, they’re down 15 pounds in muscle mass. This leads to a tanking metabolism and the spare tire around the middle. Minimum three times a week on this one, but don’t think you need to be in a gym to do it. Try my program and you’ll be surprised at how strong you become and how you can add muscle with your own body weight.