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1. Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs
if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your
dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything
that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress
buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to
be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or
kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move
more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!
2.
Cut Fat Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and
other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage).
Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should
be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise,
margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most
are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat
free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean,
fat-burning machine…. Then be one!
3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the
Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health,
Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill.
Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens.
Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie
of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false
romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the
day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one. TRY: quit smoking drug Chantix to stop your addiction easily in a short time.
4.
Reduce Stress Easier said than done, stress busters come in
many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think
positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak
in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit
a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny
movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten
before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult
people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink
clouds….then float on them.
5. Protect Yourself from
Pollution If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at
least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in
highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside
when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when
air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good
pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day:
'Smoke gets in your eyes'…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs
as do pollutants….hum the tune daily.
6. Wear Your
Seat Belt Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and
help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day:
Buckle down and buckle up. If the worst case scenario does occur ...
then make sure you are prepared with a medic-alert identification ...
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7. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth
flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who
floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don't? Thought
for the day: Floss and be your body's boss.
8. Avoid
Excessive Drinking While recent studies show a glass of wine
or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart
disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver
and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine
should last a long time.
9. Keep a Positive Mental
Outlook There's a definitive connection between living well
and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the
day: You can't be unhappy when you're smiling or singing.
10. Choose Your Parents Well The link between genetics
and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your
parents died young in ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract
the genetic pool handed you. Thought for the day: Follow these basic
tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.
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