Easy Ways to Eat Healthy & Exercise

Sticking with a healthy lifestyle doesn't have to be a chore. The most important thing is to focus on foods and activities you enjoy instead of worrying about what's not allowed according to some fad diet. A little advanced planning also helps you stay on track. Try these easy ways to eat healthy and exercise, and you'll be reaping the benefits of a healthier lifestyle before you know it.

Focus on Foods you Like
Eating healthy doesn't just mean avoiding unhealthful foods or choosing healthful foods regardless of the taste. Instead of following a strict diet, base your eating plan on foods you enjoy that also are healthful. Investigate different ways to prepare these foods. Try vegetables fresh with dip, mashed and added to sauces, battered or steamed. Sample foods from ethnic cuisines. You might discover you like hummus, sushi or Peruvian ensalada de pallares (lima bean salad), all of which are healthful foods. If you want to follow a popular diet plan, try a less restrictive one such as the Mediterranean Diet or Zone Diet.


Exercise for Fun
Unless you're into fitness, typical exercise options such as aerobics, running on a treadmill and lifting weights can seem like chores. To avoid boredom, seek out physical activities that are enjoyable in their own right. Dancing, gardening and bike riding are good choices. If you have a dog, try agility training or disc dog. Find an activity partner who can keep you motivated. Go for walks together or play one-on-one basketball or ping pong. If you have nearby facilities, try swimming, skating, golf or bowling. Get involved in activities that engage your mind as well as your body. Options include clay pigeon shooting, stunt kiting and geocaching.
 
Plan Ahead When you're busy, it's easy to fall into your old, less healthy habits. To stay on track, plan your meals a week in advance. Keep healthful snacks on hand. Find nearby restaurants that serve healthful food for when you're in a rush. To keep up with exercise, join a group that meets regularly. Sign up for a class in something of cultural interest like African dance or something practical like self-defense. Train for a charity run or walk. To squeeze in quick workouts, keep basic exercise equipment at home. Elliptical machines and rowing machines are ideal, but some free weights and a medicine ball will do.