live a healthy life

Losing Weight Isn't Necessarily About Dropping the Pounds Fast, but Rather Leading a Healthier Lifestyle and Making Better Choices


It's estimated that more than half of all Americans are overweight. Due to decreased activity, poor food choices and more, Americans are getting fatter and fatter by the minute. So how can one put forth an effort to lose weight without changing their daily life? Well, the answer is
simple: you can't. In order to lose weight and become more healthy, you've got to put some work into it. Even if it's just a little work, a little can go a long way. Here are a few ways to help yourself lose weight and become more active so you can lead a healthier lifestyle.

Healthy Tip #1 - Calories

Calorie counting is an easy way to start keeping track of your food intake. Keeping track of calories, while it may not significantly cause you to drop 30 pounds, will actually help you eat less. When you're watching what you eat, you become more aware of your food choices.

If you're not into calorie counting, you can also try keeping a food diary. In the end, keeping track of what you eat will help you eat less.

Healthy Tip #2 - Fluids

As Americans, we drink a lot, and I don't mean alcohol. We drink tons of soda, concentrated juices and high fructose drinks. Many of us can consume an entire day's worth of calories in a day, which would mean we wouldn't have any calories left toward our food intake.

If you're not ready to go cold turkey on your soda habit, you can try switching to diet or to zero calorie sodas. Switching to one of the alternatives can greatly reduce the amount of calories you're consuming each day, which in turn can help you lose weight. While the weight loss will only be a few pounds here and there, every little bit counts.

Avoid juices and other high sugar, high fructose syrup drinks. Energy drinks especially can throw off your entire day with sky-high calorie counts.

Healthy Tip #3 - Water


It's fact that we don't get nearly as much water as we should. You should be drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. While it's unrealistic to go from drinking none to 8 glasses over night, it is a good goal to work toward. An easy way to add water into your daily life is to drink
a glass or two right when you wake up. Drinking water first thing in the morning will also help encourage you to drink more throughout the day.

You can even switch out one or two cans of soda a day with a glass of water.

If you're keeping a food diary or calorie counting, it also helps to keep track of how many glasses of water you're drinking.

Plus, if that doesn't convince you: drinking water leads to clear, healthier skin - and who doesn't want that?

Healthy Tip #4 - Exercise

Many of us are busy, whether it be school, work, or taking care of the kids. So we can't always add in exercise to an already tight schedule. An easy way to boost your metabolism and add some 'exercise' to your daily routine is to boost things up a bit. Turn that leisurely walk with the dog into a fast-paced walk. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Housework is also a great way to burn calories.

You can add arm stretches to your morning shower, or leg crunches while sitting at your desk. Getting up and walking around the building once a day. Anything that makes you just a little bit more active.

While it doesn't sound like a significant amount, it will add up. The more frequently you do little things, the more energy you'll gain over the course of the day. A little goes a long way, and eventually you'll get to a point where you actually want to go for a quick jog in the morning.

Losing weight doesn't mean dropping 60 pounds in 3 months, or having drastic surgeries. It means watching what you're eating and become a healthier person. Your body will benefit greatly if you focus on fixing poor eating habits.