5 Top Ways To Get Healthy and Active This Spring
Spring has sprung, the air is fresh, and the sun is (or at least should be) shining. As we leave the housebound activities of winter behind, people all over the world are shedding coats and central heating, and looking forward to getting outside and getting active. If you’ve been putting off those looming New Year’s resolutions to get fit and live healthily, the blooming of spring simply gives you no excuse. It’s the perfect time to find ways to get healthy and honor those January promises.
Unfortunately, it’s a well-known fact that a large percentage of Americans simply aren’t in shape, and in fact struggle with weight disorders. Obesity in the U.S. has been rising steadily for the past number of decades, with estimates of around 1 in 3 Americans suffering from the disorder. When you factor in overweight numbers, which aren’t as unhealthy as obesity, but still worrying, it becomes apparent that a large percentage of the country is in trouble. Morbid obesity has become a common occurrence, so much so that it’s treated as a disability if it’s severe enough. While measures like handicap parking and telemedicine are helping the plight of the obese in society, tackling the problem starts at the grassroots level. If more people can avoid becoming overweight in the first place, then it becomes a lot easier to manage.
So with that in mind, here are the five top ways to get healthy and active this spring. It doesn’t matter if you’re unhealthy, overweight, in tip-top form, or morbidly obese; these simple, undemanding routines can help everyone to feel more fit!
Spring provides the perfect opportunity to get fit outdoors.
1. Adhere to the 2 x 3 + 1 Rule
This might sound like a mathematical tangent, but it’s actually a very easy way to keep tabs on what you eat, when you eat it, and how much you eat of it. The rule translates as: two fruits and vegetables every meal (the ‘x 3’ part) plus one as a snack. It’s a daily routine to help you eat a healthy diet and make sure you get the right nutrition from those all-important fruits and veg. If you follow the rule, you’ll guarantee you’re eating at least seven fruits and vegetables a day, totaling an impressive 49 serves a week. You’ll start seeing the benefits from those extra minerals, vitamins, and fibre in no time at all!
2. Find Ways to be Active Every Day
Getting into shape doesn’t mean you have to suddenly start training for marathons. It just means being conscious that exercise can hugely benefit you and your health. Even by finding ways to be active every day, you can start making a difference in no time at all. If you’re not used to exercising, start off small; for example, if you take the lift to your office or your apartment, try taking the stairs. Already you’re making a difference to your lifestyle, and making it more active. If you usually take the bus, try walking to work two or three times a week. See what happens! Little things like this can make all the difference and are great ways to get healthy.
3. But Make Sure You Enjoy It
Keeping healthy doesn’t have to be a drag; nor should it be. Make sure your activities are things you actually LIKE doing. For example, if you find running to be a waking nightmare, don’t try to take it up just for the sake of being healthy. Maybe you’d prefer to buy a bike and start cycling instead. Maybe you hate the idea of going to the gym, and would prefer to visit the local pool a couple of times a week. Maybe you want to get fit in your own time, and would prefer to construct your own little gym area in your home. Whatever it is, make sure it excites you; if it doesn’t, then it’s unlikely you’re going to keep it up for very long!
Make sure to engage in activities you enjoy.
4. Sleep Well and Long
This one is certainly one of the easiest ones to pull off, and to some of us, it might not feel like we’re being healthy at all! However, sleep is one of the most important factors in a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Many of us simply do not get enough of it, and depending on how severe that deficit is, it can severely impact our health. Getting sufficient rest should be one of your top priorities; aim for at least seven hours a night, but try to get the full eight if you can.
5. Drink More Water
Most Americans are chronically dehydrated. Everybody knows that water plays a significant part in maintaining our communal health, but most of us don’t drink enough of it throughout the day. Drinking more water will help you feel less fatigued and stiff, and will generally help you look better overall. Also, if you’re engaging in strenuous activities, water will play a vital role in keeping you energized. Aim for six to eight glasses a day!
Follow these simple tips and you’ll be well on the way to getting active and healthy this spring!