The phrase ‘healthy lifestyle’ has been bandied about for years, an abbreviated definition of how we should live if we want to get the healthiest body we can. One that both looks good and feels good.

But what does having a healthy lifestyle mean? You know the obvious behaviors that describe someone who’s healthy and takes care of themselves. A healthy person doesn’t smoke, tries to maintain a healthy weight, eats healthy foods with plenty of fruits, vegetables and fiber and, of course, exercises on a regular basis.

Then there are other elements to add to the list. A healthy person also knows how to manage stress, gets good quality sleep each night, doesn’t drink too much, doesn’t sit too much…basically, does everything in moderation all the time.

When you look at everything that could possibly go into a healthy lifestyle, you can see just how hard all of those things are in our current world.

The good news is, you don’t have to change everything at the same time. In fact, the trick to healthy living is making small changes – Taking more steps each day, adding fruit to your cereal, having an extra glass of water or saying no to that second helping of buttery mashed potatoes.

And there are other things you can do right now to make your lifestyle healthier and that is to move more.

Here’s Why You Need Move More
One of the biggest reasons we have a weight problem these days is because we sit around too much.

We know we need to exercise, but we have so many excuses not to do it.

We’re too busy, don’t know where to start, we’re not motivated or we’re afraid we’ll injure ourselves. Maybe we think exercise has to be really hard or it isn’t good enough.

Whatever definition you have about what exercise is or isn’t, the bottom line is that exercise is movement.

Whether it’s walking around the block or running a marathon, that movement is exercise and every time you move more than you normally do, it counts.

It’s great if you can spend time exercising – Meaning you’re sweating, working in your target heart rate zone and/or doing something to strengthen your body. But it doesn’t always have to be that way. Moderate activities like chores, gardening and walking can make a difference.

The Benefits of Moving More
The great thing about moving is that just a few minutes a day can have lasting benefits, many of which you may not even be aware of.

Just some of the benefits include:

• Reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes
• Improves joint stability
• Increases and improves range of motion
• Helps maintain flexibility as you age
• Maintains bone mass
• Prevents osteoporosis and fractures
• Improves mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
• Enhances self-esteem
• Improves memory in elderly people
• Reduces stress

So, even if you opt for small changes and a more modest weight loss, you can see the benefits are still pretty amazing.
One study published in the International Journal of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders found that just a 10% weight reduction helped obese patients lower blood pressure, cholesterol and increase longevity.

In fact, you don’t even have to have a goal to lose weight, especially if you have trouble sticking to a program. Why not focus on being healthy to start and worry about the weight loss once you’ve got some healthy habits under your belt?

Simple Ways to Move Your Body
You can start the process of being healthy and now by adding a little more activity to your life. If you’re not ready for a structured program, start small. Every little bit counts and it all adds up to burning more calories.

Turn off the TV

Once a week, turn off the TV and do something a little more physical with your family. Play games, take a walk…almost anything will be more active than sitting on the couch.

Walk more.

Look for small ways to walk more. When you get the mail, take a walk around the block, take the dog for an extra outing each day or walk on your treadmill for 5 minutes before getting ready for work.

Do some chores.
Shoveling snow, working in the garden, raking leaves, sweeping the floor…these kinds of activities may not be ‘vigorous’ exercise, but they can keep you moving while getting your house in order.
Pace while you talk. When you’re on the phone, pace around or even do some cleaning while gabbing. This is a great way to stay moving while doing something you enjoy.

Be aware.
Make a list of all the physical activities you do on a typical day. If you find that the bulk of your time is spent sitting, make another list of all the ways you could move more–getting up each hour to stretch or walk, walk the stairs at work, etc.

Eating Well Without Being Miserable.
Eating a healthy diet is another part of the healthy lifestyle. Not only can a clean diet help with weight management, it can also improve your health and quality of life as you get older.

You already know about the food groups and the fact that you should eat more fruits and vegetables and less processed foods.

Most of us probably have a list of things we know we should do for a healthier diet but, again, making too many changes at once can backfire. Going on a restricted diet may make you crave the very foods you’re trying to avoid.

Another approach is to look for ways to make smaller changes each day. Just a few ideas for changing how you eat include:

Eat more fruit. Add it to your cereal, your salads, dinners or make it a dessert. Fruit is also a great snack after work or school to keep you going until dinner.
Sneak in more veggies. Add them wherever you can–a tomato on your sandwich, peppers on your pizza, or extra veggies in your pasta sauce. Keep precut or canned/frozen veggies ready for quick snacks.
Try a healthy salad dressing. If you eat full-fat dressing, switch to something lighter and you’ll automatically eat fewer calories.
Eat low-fat or fat-free dairy. Switching to skim milk or fat-free yogurt is another simple way to eat fewer calories without having to change too much in your diet.
Make some substitutions. Look through your cabinets or fridge and pick 3 foods you eat every day. Write down the nutritional content and, the next time you’re at the store, find lower-calorie substitutes for just those 3 items.

Creating a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to mean drastic changes. In fact, drastic changes almost always lead to failure. Making small changes in how you live may seem like a slow process and it is. We all adapt to change much better when it doesn’t require us to overhaul our entire lives. Just pick one thing and work on that one thing every day, letting the rest of your life and habits stay the same.

You may be surprised that those small changes really can make a difference.

Sources:

Fentem, P H. ABC of Sports Medicine: Benefits of exercise in health and disease. BMJ 1994;308:1291-1295 (14 May)