Exercise is an important part of maintaining good overall health. It helps reduce stress, improves mood, increases energy levels, and strengthens muscles. It’s important to know what foods are good for you and what foods aren’t so you can avoid them when you’re trying to keep your heart healthy.
The American Heart Association, recommends eating a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish, poultry, beans, nuts, seeds, and olive oil.
Know Your Risk Factors.
If you have certain risk factors, such as high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, or a family history of cardiovascular disease, you should take steps to lower your risk.
Start with 10 Minutes a Day
It is easy to start exercising regularly you can start with at least 10 minutes a day. But it takes commitment to maintain an active lifestyle. To help you stay motivated, try starting small by incorporating short bursts of activity throughout your day. You can also use the “10 minutes a day” rule to set yourself up for success.
Here are seven tips to help you eat healthily and lose weight.
- Choose whole-grain bread instead of white bread.
- Limit sugary drinks.
- Drink water instead of soda.
- Avoid trans fats.
- Cut down on red meat.
- Try to limit processed food.
- Make sure you get enough sleep each night.
Drink Water.
If you want to eat healthily and lose weight, you need to make some changes to your diet. You should try to drink more water not sweet soda. This will help you stay hydrated and keep your body functioning properly.
Add More Time as You Go Along
If you’re not used to being physically active, you might feel overwhelmed at first. Start slowly with just five minutes of moderate activity each day. As you build up to 30 minutes, gradually add more time until you reach 60 minutes per week.
Do Cardio Exercise at Least 3 Times per Week
You should do cardio exercises three times per week. This includes walking, jogging, swimming, biking, dancing, running, etc. It also includes activities such as pushups, sit-ups, jumping rope, skipping, etc.
Don’t Skip Meals
Eating small meals throughout the day helps you feel full longer and keeps your metabolism going strong.
Increase Intensity As You Gain Fitness
If you are new to exercising, start with low-intensity workouts. Which includes walking, cycling, and lightweight lifting. Once you feel comfortable with these activities, you can try increasing the intensity and even join a gym.
Avoid Processed Foods
Processed foods are often high in calories and low in nutrients. Such food contains active ingredients that are not natural and end up causing digestive issues. Instead, eat whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats, nuts, seeds, and legumes.
Cut Back on Sugary Drinks
If you drink soda regularly, try cutting back on sugary drinks. Soda contains empty calories and has no nutritional value. It can also lead to tooth decay and other dental problems.