As a race, we have never been so aware and conscious of our health and fitness.
But conversely, we have never been as unhealthy, or unfit.
We long for the look of a cover model but don’t really do much about it or we try and try but to no avail.
We buy into the latest fat burning supplement or fitness FAD that is going to TRANSFORM us in just 28 days…without us having to put much effort in.
These companies are making so much money from us with this.
They have us hooked on HOPIUM!
Reliant on the drug of OPPORTUNITY. Hooked on their products with the expectation that the NEXT ONE will deliver on it’s promise.
Have you fallen for this? I know I have.
By 2022 the global dietary supplement market is estimated to be worth over 250 billion dollars. It’s no wonder we can barely walk, drive or even sit down for a brew without some kind of dietary supplement, exercise craze or new magic herb being crammed down our throat.
But what if I was to tell you there was a way…
But it required a bit of effort, some focus, commitment and some consistency?
If you want to improve your health, don’t buy into these new schemes and trends that are nothing short of scams.
Here are five habits to improve your health and fitness.
1. Drink More Water
The human body is made up of about 60 percent of water!
You need WATER!
We use it for digestion, nutrient absorption, circulation and much much more. It not only helps muscles and organs but it also makes your skin look younger and clearer! I don’t know any supplement that can promise AND actually deliver all that!!
Another bonus is when you’re hydrated with water you suppress hunger and it can also prevent the temptation of drinking the wrong fluids like fizzy drinks, cordials and juices.
These are more than often riddled with sugar, high in calories and have very little nutritional value.
Things are improving out there with zero sugar this and zero sugar that but be careful as even with flavoured waters and juices, a lot of them can have as much sugar as ordinary coca cola.
2. Go For a FAT Option
One of the oldest mistakes in the book is avoiding fats! Yeah yeah, I get it…saturated fats, especially in abundance aren’t particularly good for you. However, there are also other natural healthy fats to be taken in and the benefits are quite surprising to most!
As well as other factors like protecting and functioning your organs, muscle growth, nutrient absorption, lowering your cholesterol and reducing the of the risk of heart disease…. it also burns FAT!! And stubborn fat too! It has twice the amount of energy as a carb and should not be over indulged but most certainly needs to be implemented into your diet.
Get some FAT down you!
3. Sleep More!
Who doesn’t want to sleep more?
The benefits of sleep are unimaginable! Especially considering you literally just lie there and close your eyes!
There have been multiple studies that show people who got more sleep had improved lifestyles, more energy and overall better health.
Also, you are likely to burn more fat with a decent amount of sleep in comparison to the lack of sleep which has been proven to burn more muscle than fat.
Performance and fat loss are all well and good but there are other reasons why it’s absolutely crucial you get your hours in.
It prevents stress, depression and reduces inflammation – this isn’t just about recovering from being sore from the gym.People who get less sleep have higher inflammatory proteins which can cause heart disease, strokes, diabetes and a lot more.
4. Eat More Fruit & Veg
Sounds obvious right!? Well, you will be surprised!!
Even with the NHS’s 5 a day in everyone’s face, the past few years people aren’t having enough fruit and veg.
Vegetables really are a miracle food. They cure disease, reduce the risk of hundreds of health conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease as well as so much more. They even reduce the risk of cancer. They’re also nutrient-rich and low in calories. The ideal food right?
A big problem is a lot of non-veg lovers have a lack of imagination. People tend to find veg boring and often relate it to rabbit food etc.
Just because you add veg it doesn’t mean you sacrifice the meals you love and have a plate of dry raw carrots.
Vegetarian/plant-based food diets have an amazing result with fat loss and increased health. However, I don’t believe it’s the lack of meat getting these results, it’s the increased amount of fruit and vegetables.
You don’t have to become a rabbit or a vegetarian, just add some blooming veg into your meals! Dress them up and add some flavour!
5. Exercise
An obvious one! But most of us don’t do it.
Why is that??
The issue we see is that people don’t know what they are doing and are intimidated in big gyms when alone, therefore they don’t enjoy exercise and end up giving up before results start to take effect.
It’s not all about getting to the gym and using a treadmill three times a week either. You need to train your body in different ways with variety in order to keep your brain engaged.
Exercise is great for mental health and a huge stress reliever. Gym memberships are even prescribed by GPs to people who suffer from depression.
So if you are going to train, pick something you’re going to enjoy. Something that will last.
A great way to enjoy exercise is to do it in a group format where you have challenge yourself against others, whilst having a laugh at the same time. Very similar to what we do here at Forever Strong.
Aim for around 3 session per week which challenges your body with resistance added.
