18 Steps to a Healthier LIfe You Should Take ...

If you are looking for tips for a healthier life you have come to the right spot. It is important to improve your health in every way possible. Following these 18 simple steps will get you on the right track. As you follow them I am sure you will start to see and feel improvements in your body and mood. Take a look at these healthier life steps and start applying them now.

1. Opt for the Stairs

I know getting on the elevator at work or taking the escalator in the mall is the easy thing to do, but you benefit more by taking the stairs. Taking the stairs, when possible, helps burn extra calories and build muscle. Will you try this healthier life step?

2. Choose Mustard over Mayo

Mayonnaise is loaded with an insane amount of fat. You can save yourself tons of fat grams and calories by not using it on your sandwiches. If you still need something to add flavor or a little moisture to the mix opt for mustard. Mustard is the perfect alternative to mayo.

3. Clean House While Watching TV

Don’t just sit and watch TV. Knock both out at one time. You are bound to burn more calories folding laundry or washing dishes during your favorite show than you would just sitting there taking it all in. If cleaning isn’t your thing try watching TV while you work out on the elliptical.

4. Dance, Don’t Drink

A night out with the girls is a wonderful thing, but we don’t have to spend those nights out drinking way too much. Instead, sip on one alcoholic beverage. Try to spend more time dancing the night away. You will consume far less calories and burn even more. Besides, dancing won’t leave you feeling like crap the next morning.

5. Fruit for Dessert

Fruits are a great way to curb that sweet tooth feeling. Instead of cake or pie, have a bowl of mixed fruit. You can add a little pizazz to it by adding a whipped topping, dipping fruit in yogurt, or drizzling on a little honey.

6. Switch to Non-fat Milk

Do you drink non-fat milk? If not you should probably give it a try. There a is a large difference in the fat content of full fat milk and non-fat. You could save yourself tons of calories and fat grams just by making a simple switch. While you may notice a slight change when using lower-fat milk in your cereal or drinking it straight, you won’t notice much difference when using lower-fat milk in recipes. You may also want to try coconut or almond milk.

7. Whole Grain Cereal

I love my Cocoa Krispies just as much as the next girl, but I also know that these high sugar, low in nutritional value cereals aren’t doing much for me. I reserve my Cocoa Krispies for special days and try to eat whole grain cereal, like oatmeal, majority of the time.

8. Frozen Yogurt Instead of Ice-Cream

We have an amazing frozen yogurt place where I live, and they have several different flavors and toppings. Some of the flavors have less than 10 calories per serving. Whenever my best friend and I need a little consoling we head for frozen yogurt instead of ice-cream. It still has the creamy yummy goodness we are looking for, but is much healthier.

9. Opt for Tea over Soda

I’ll be the first to admit soda is a hard vice to kick. Nothing can really replace the sugary bubbles, but try to switch out soda for tea or water as frequently as possible. I made this a little easier for myself by not keeping soda in the house. If I want soda I have to run to the store to get one. It’s not nearly as convenient as pouring a glass of water or making a cup of tea. I’ve also noticed that when we eat out for dinner, our bill is much cheaper when we all drink water. Soda can easily cost $2.00 or more a person.

10. Avoid Simple Carbs

Simple carbs are the carbs that your body can break down quickly. They cause your blood sugar to spike. When you fill up on simple carbs you often feel hungry sooner, than if you had ate complex carbs instead. Simple carbs include things like white bread, white pasta, and pastries. Instead, eat whole grains, fruit, and veggies.

11. Say No to Smoking

I’m sure you have seen the messages on TV and heard the ones on the radio. Smoking is bad no matter how you put it. It takes years off your life and physically ages you quickly. It’s probably one of the worse things you can do for your health. Do yourself a favor and don’t ever start smoking.

12. Manage Stress

Another great thing you can do for your health is learning to manage stress. Unfortunately, stress has become a normal and expected part of everyday life. Even young teens admit to feeling overwhelming amounts of stress. In order to live a healthy life we have to know how to better manage our stress.

13. Sleep Good

If you aren’t sleeping well, it is probably messing with your health. If you are serious about making healthy lifestyle choices then being sure to get good sleep will be high on your list of things to do.

14. Regular Checkups

No one can tell you more about your current health than your doctor. He can let you know just how good you are doing by going to a routine checkup. This includes seeing a gynecologist every year for a pelvic exam.

15. Healthy Eating Not Dieting

Yo-yo dieting has a horrible effect on your health. Instead of falling for you the newest fad diet every few months, decide to commit yourself to healthy eating. Healthy eating means eating a balance diet complete with whole grains, fruit, veggies, lean protein, and low-fat dairy. You don’t swear off an entire food group and you don’t deprive yourself of eating.

16. Stay Active

We all know a healthy lifestyle means staying active. That doesn’t mean you have to run a marathon, bike across the country, or become a heavy lifter as the gym. Instead it means that most every day of the week you dedicate 30 minutes to an hour of physical activity. Do whatever it is that you like. Go for a walk, dance, jump on the trampoline with the kids, or swim. It’s not what you do that matters, just that you do it.

17. Positive People

Another important step to a healthier life is to surround yourself with positive people. Having good people to lift you up and encourage you to make a huge difference. These types of people have a strong impact on your self-image and self-worth. If the people around you constantly bring you down, it is time to set yourself free from them.

18. Good Attitude

You are going to need a good attitude to make in this life. We all have things to get down about, but if we dwell on the negative instead of focusing on the positive we aren’t going to get very far. It’s okay to feel angry, hurt, and disappointed from time to time, but don’t let those negative feelings run amuck on your life.

I hope you have found these steps to a healthier life helpful. We all want to live the best life possible, and knowing ways to live well and taking action is how to achieve that goal. Tell me what you think of these healthier life steps and share your own tips for a healthier life.