Thursday, January 20, 2011

Healthy Lifestyle Guidelines

     Today I am going to give 16 guidelines that you can live by that will help you become healthier.  Evaluate how many of the below healthy lifestyle guidelines have become part of your personal wellness program.  Prepare a list of those that you still need to work on and use specific objectives that will help you achieve the desired behaviors.  Remember that each one of the below guidelines will lead to a longer, healthier, and happier life. 

1.  Accumulate a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity at least five days per week

2.  Exercise aerobically in the proper cardiorespiratory training zone at least three times per week for  a minimum of 20 minutes

3.  Accumulate at least 10,000 steps on a daily basis

4.  Strength train at least once a week using a minimum of eight exercises that involve all major muscle groups of the body

5.  Perform flexibility exercises that invove all major joints of the body two to three times per week

6.  Eat a healthy diet that is rich in whole-wheat grains, fruits, and vegetables and is low in saturated and trans fats

7.  Eat a healthy breakfast every day

8.  Do not use tobacco in any form, avoid secondhand smoke, and avoid all other forms of substance abuse

9.  Maintain healthy body weight

10.  Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night

11.  Manage stress effectively

12.  Limit daily alcohol intake to two or less drinks per day if you are a man or one drink or less per day if you are a woman (or do not consume any alcohol at all which is what I recommend)

13.  Have at least one close friend or relative in whom you can confide and to whom you can express your feelings openly

14.  Be aware of your surrounding and take personal safety measures at all times

15.  Seek continued learning on a regular basis

16.  Subscribe to a reputable health/ fitness/nutrition newsletter to stay up-to-date on healthy lifestyle guidelines (or just follow my blog)

I hope that you are already following some of these healthy lifestyle guidelines.  Following these guidelines will seriously help you lead a happier and healthier life.  I understand that sometimes you just cannot follow all 16 religiously but if you try your best, you will see the results.

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