How to Start a Healthy Lifestyle From Scratch

Your health is one of the most important aspects of your life. It enables you to live comfortably and prevents you from developing life-threatening diseases or conditions.

It’s best to start a healthy lifestyle from scratch gradually to avoid being overwhelmed. Here are some ways to do that: 1. Change Your Diet.

1. Change Your Diet

Changing your diet is one of the most important steps toward living healthy. However, it isn’t easy to do all at once. In fact, trying to drastically overhaul your eating habits can often backfire. It’s best to focus on adding healthy habits to your daily routine.

Start by identifying your main health objectives. For example, if you want better digestion, consider starting with probiotics. If you want to eat more nutrient dense foods, then you might begin by cutting out processed snacks and meals. Alternatively, you might choose to add green tea or unsweetened milk to your daily routine.

Then, identify the first small, healthy change you want to make and commit to it for a week. Get support or accountability, put a reminder on your calendar, whatever it takes to ensure success. If you manage to successfully stick with your new habit for a week, then pick another and repeat until all of your desired healthy changes are a part of your routine. It will be a while before these new behaviors become automatic, but they will eventually.

2. Get Moving

It’s no secret that physical fitness is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. However, many people find it challenging to stick to an exercise routine if they are accustomed to living a sedentary life.

The best way to get started with an exercise routine is to gradually reduce your sedentary habits by adding small changes to your daily routine. For example, instead of driving to the store, walk or take your bike.

Additionally, try to avoid processed foods that are full of unhealthy additives such as high fructose corn syrup and red dye #40. Your body was not designed to process these chemicals. Instead, eat natural foods such as fruits and vegetables.

Another great way to get moving is by playing activity-based video games like the Wii or Kinect. These games are fun and help you burn calories while having a blast! Alternatively, you can go for walks or hikes in your local parks or open spaces. Getting active is just as crucial as eating right, so make it a priority in your life.

3. Exercise Daily

As the saying goes, “he who has health has wealth.” A healthy lifestyle is made up of several key factors: eating a balanced diet, exercising daily, getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water and managing stress. The goal is to make these cornerstones a part of your everyday life so that they become habitual.

The body’s built was never meant to process high fructose corn syrup or red dye #40, so ditch processed foods for more natural options. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, low-fat dairy and healthy fats.

Everyone knows exercise is essential, but it can be difficult to start a new habit of hitting the gym every day. Instead, try to incorporate small healthy habits into your daily routine — like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or cycling to the grocery store. Ultimately, you should aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and two days of strength-training each week. (1)

4. Stay Hydrated

Getting enough water, in addition to other hydrating liquids and foods, is critical to the health of most adults. This is because hydration supports normal body functions from temperature regulation to blood pressure control and detoxification.

Experts recommend drinking six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. However, some people may need more or less fluids depending on their age, activity level and other factors.

Drinking more fluids helps to replace those lost due to sweat, hot or humid weather and exercise, as well as during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Also, drinking more fluids helps to alleviate symptoms of certain conditions and illnesses, such as fever, vomiting and diarrhea.

To help you reach your daily water goals, try setting a small goal like “every time I change locations I will drink water,” or keep a water bottle on hand and make it part of your everyday routine. Swapping high sugar drinks for seltzer or low-sugar flavored powders is another easy way to boost your water intake. Some people also find it helpful to check the color of their urine throughout the day to be sure they are staying hydrated.

5. Get Enough Sleep

People who are able to get enough sleep each night are healthier than those who don’t. The brain needs sleep to function properly, and it also helps protect the immune system from illness.

Getting adequate amounts of rest is one of the easiest ways to improve your health. A good night’s sleep can help reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, and even prevent weight gain.

A healthy lifestyle consists of a combination of habits related to nutrition, physical activity, and your daily routine. These habits promote wellness in all aspects of your life and can reduce the risk for certain diseases.

It may take time to change your habits, but your efforts will pay off in the long run. Start with small changes and stick to them. For example, if you are used to having eight cups of coffee a day, slowly decrease the amount of caffeine you drink over a period of weeks. By making healthy choices, you can be happier and feel better overall. And who doesn’t want that? (1)