Ten Quick Tips To Stay Fit And Healthy

This post is sponsored by Walmart.

Last month hubby and I went in for our annual physical exams. We both got a clean bill of health, but the doctor stressed that we needed to exercise daily. Hubby’s blood pressure was a little high so he was advised to make some changes to his diet. Change is never easy.  However, if you want to live a long and enjoyable life, it is important to take a variety of steps to stay fit and healthy. The right eating, exercise and sleep habits can prevent a ton of medical problems and help you feel better.  Here are ten ways to stay fit and healthy:

1. Eat healthy foods. We try to avoid excessive amounts of cholesterol, saturated fat and now that we know that Hubby's blood pressure is  a little high, we’re also cutting down on sodium. We’ve also cut down our soda intake.  We used to drink a lot of soda, but rarely buy it anymore.

2. Since we both work from home, we tend to work pretty late. Late night snacking was becoming a problem. Now, when I feel an urge to eat sugary snacks late at night, I first try to drink a full glass of water instead. If that doesn’t do the trick, I turn to fruit and nuts instead of candy and pastries. Think about eating a few figs or dates. Another comparatively low-calorie alternative involves spreading some peanut butter on a slice of apple.

3. If you smoke tobacco products, try to quit. A doctor or pharmacist can provide helpful personalized advice. Consider buying nicotine patches if you find it extremely difficult to stop. 

4. Exercise. We’ve been trying to exercise regularly for quite some time now, but it always seems like we start off strong, and then somehow, get off track a few weeks later. We started walking every morning and we both really enjoy it. So far we’ve been able to stick to our morning walk routine.

5. Remember to keep safety in mind every day. To prevent life-threatening injuries, wear a helmet if you ride a bicycle or motorcycle.

6. Get enough sleep. As I mentioned above, we’re used to working into the wee hours of the morning. Health experts generally recommend a minimum of seven hours per night, but on average, we’ve probably been getting about five at best. So now, we’re trying to get to bed earlier. We actually set a bed time for ourselves and have been trying to stick to it. 

7. Prevent sunburns and skin cancer by avoiding excessive exposure to sunlight. Skin damage becomes more likely in the late morning and early afternoon. When you spend time in the sun, apply a sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 15.

8. Take dietary supplements. All three of us take vitamins every day. As hubby and I get older it’s important to take supplements.  Our doctor recommended that we take supplements like calcium for bone health and vitamin D which helps with the absorption of calcium.

9. Regular checkups. Visit a doctor from time to time and discuss any medical concerns you may have. With most illnesses, early detection makes a huge difference so don’t put off those doctor visits. 

10. Drink more water. I now keep a water bottle at my desk and refill it throughout the day as needed. This can improve your health in many ways by helping your body digest meals and absorb nutrients. It also has the potential to prevent kidney stones. Remember to consume extra water when you exercise or experience hot weather.

Basically, you can stay fit and healthy by eating nutritious low-calorie meals, exercising regularly and remembering to take safety precautions. It is also crucial to avoid tobacco products and immoderate alcohol consumption.

These are just some of the ways that we are staying healthy and fit. Want more ideas?  Well you’re in luck! Walmart is hosting America's Biggest Health Fair on October 10, 2015, to promote healthy lifestyles! Their #Just10 campaign emphasizes that just 10 minutes can make your life healthier. Don’t set health goals that require a lot of time, effort and will power. Instead, take baby-steps and focus on what you can do in just 10 minutes to get you started.