Healthy Habits You Can Embrace Today (And How They Help You Lose Weight)

Healthy living. The concept seems so simple, but healthy living can be complex because it requires making many good choices. Unfortunately for far too many people, serious medical scares are the triggering factor that forces them to refocus and become more attentive to living a healthier life.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. In this blog, the team of physicians, registered dieticians, fitness experts, and counselors at Cardio Metabolic Institute share their thoughts on lifestyle tweaks and healthy habits you can start today that not only can help you live a healthier life, but can help you lose weight to boot!

Accumulative effect of many healthier choices

At first blush, the thought of making healthier choices may sound daunting and a bit overwhelming. Where do you start? 

Start from where you are, and commit to making small changes and sticking with them. The human body is an amazing, well-choreographed connection of systems. Once you put one part of the health puzzle in place, many of the other pieces often fall in line.

Case in point: Have you ever gone to the doctor to treat a bout of high blood pressure and the next thing you know, you’re getting blood drawn to check your cholesterol? The results come back, revealing that you have high blood pressure and high cholesterol and you’re borderline diabetic. Now what?

The fact that the human body is composed of interconnected systems can work to your advantage. By tackling one issue — say, high blood pressure — you can also positively influence other issues like cholesterol and glucose levels.

And the really great thing is that often even making modest changes to improve your health habits can have a huge impact. 

Eat a balanced diet

Perhaps one of the most important healthy habits you can embrace today is committing to eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. Have you heard the old adage “you are what you eat”? Well there’s a lot of truth in it. 

Food literally fuels your body. Choose the wrong fuel in the wrong quantities, and your body reacts by not performing optimally. Unhealthy choices can lead to weight gain and a sluggish metabolism and put you at risk for a number of serious medical conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

A good diet has lots of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, poultry, and whole grains. Cut back on processed foods with lots of preservatives as well as foods and beverages that are high in sodium and sugar. 

And when it comes to eating right, size matters. Learn about correct portion sizes and adjust your diet accordingly. Your overall health, and your waistline, will thank you for many years to come.

Exercise regularly

Working hand in hand with making better food choices is making a commitment to exercising regularly. Sedentary lifestyles can literally be deadly especially in combination with poor diets. 

If you’ve never been a gym rat or ran a marathon, don’t panic. Simple things like taking a short walk or taking a lap or two at a swimming pool every day can make a difference. 

The type of exercise, duration and intensity can be customized for each person’s fitness level and age, but the point is to get active. If a regular exercise routine is new for you, ask your doctor about what’s safe and appropriate for you.

Get moving: Pause that “Law and Order” marathon, and go for a walk with a friend. Not only will an increase in exercise enhance your overall physical health and may help you drop a few pounds, but it will also boost your mood. Definitely a win-win!

Know when to ask for help

For most people, change can be difficult, and making lifestyle changes can be especially challenging. It’s OK to reach out and ask for help. Knowing the right combination of diet, exercise, and body chemistry isn’t easy for anyone.

But it’s so much easier to catch an issue like being 10 pounds overweight than waiting until you need to tackle 20 extra pounds. And you don’t have to go it alone.

Here at Cardio Metabolic Institute, our team can help design a personalized road map for a healthier you. Our medically supervised weight loss program and nutritional counseling services drill down into family medical history, activity level, and your health goals to create optimal outcomes.

If you’re ready to begin your journey to a healthier you, let’s get started. Schedule a consultation at Cardio Metabolic Institute in Somerset, Monroe Township, Edison, or East Brunswick, New Jersey. Click or call today for an appointment at the office nearest you.