Health And Fitness Websites Biography
Source Google.com.pk
Making just a few changes in your lifestyle can help you live longer.
A recent study found that four bad behaviors—smoking, drinking too much alcohol, not exercising, and not eating enough fruits and veggies—can hustle you into an early grave, and, in effect, age you by as many as 12 years.
Fortunately, you can do something to correct these and other unhealthy behaviors. Adopt the following nine habits to keep your body looking and feeling young.
Don't overeat
If you want to live to 100, leaving a little bit of food on your plate may be a good idea. Author Dan Buettner, who studies longevity around the world, found that the oldest Japanese people stop eating when they are feeling only about 80% full.
St. Louis University researchers have confirmed that eating less helps you age slower; in a 2008 study they found that limiting calories lowered production of T3, a thyroid hormone that slows metabolism—and speeds up the aging process.
Turn off the TV
Too much time in front of the boob tube can take a serious toll on your health. In fact, a 2010 study found that people who watched four or more hours a day were 46% more likely to die from any cause than people who watched less than two hours a day.
Even cutting back a little can help; each additional hour you watch increases your overall risk of dying by 11% and dying from heart disease by 18%.
Stay out of the sun
Avoiding too much sun can head off skin cancer, and it can also keep you looking young by preventing wrinkles, fine lines, and saggy skin.
It’s never too early—or too late—to add sunscreen to your daily skin-care regimen (look for an SPF of 30 or higher). And don’t focus only on your face. Sun damage spots and splotches on your chest and neck will also make you appear older.
Reach out
Research shows that you’re at greater risk of heart disease without a strong network of friends and family. Loneliness can cause inflammation, and in otherwise healthy people it can be just as dangerous as having high cholesterol or even smoking.
Loneliness seems to pose the greatest risk for elderly people, who are also prone to depression.
Eat fruits and vegetables
Getting fewer than three servings of fruits and vegetables a day can eat away at your health. Nutritional powerhouses filled with fiber and vitamins, fruits and veggies can lower your risk of heart disease by 76% and may even play a role in decreasing your risk of breast cancer.
As an added bonus, the inflammation-fighting and circulation-boosting powers of the antioxidants in fruits and veggies can banish wrinkles.
Set yourself up for success
Establishing concrete goals (like these new year's resolutions) will help you succeed. "You can't just say, 'Oh, I want to start working out' or 'I wish I could lose weight,'" says Tracy. (Here are more examples of resolutions that won't work.) "You need to have a specific plan and a clear vision of what you want for your body." So often we fail to reach our goals because we're simply not focused on what we actually hope to achieve. Write down why you want to shed weight. Jot down the days and times that you plan to work out, then build them into your calendar so there's no excuse. And starting today, make sure your fridge is stocked with good-for-you picks. "The sooner you begin making healthier choices that work for you," Tracy promises, "the faster you'll start feeling 10 to 20 years younger."
Make exercise nonnegotiable…
"Working out is just like brushing your teeth," explains Tracy. "It's a routine that is essential to the body for overall health and longevity." When you treat exercising like it's a luxury, you are more likely to blow it off, she adds. And then your body won't look, feel or perform at its best. Find the best workout for you.
But ease into it
Maybe you're starting a new regimen or coming back after a big break. Either way, it's OK if you can't make it through the entire workout. "Whether you can do two reps or 20 isn't the point," says Tracy. "But you need to be honest. Ask yourself, 'Have I exhausted my body, or am I just being lazy?'" If it's the latter, plow on. Here's more advice on how to make exercise a lasting habit.
No comments:
Post a Comment