A Healthy Lifestyle is a Happy Lifestyle

How much weight have you gained in the past 6 months? What is the reason for your weight gain?

When I ask these questions, most people say junk food, no fat burning exercise, stress at work, no rest, genetics, etc. The bigger reason though is that we don’t care enough about our health. If we did, we would understand how easy it is to stay healthy. All we need to do is to have clear health goals and embed a few activities into our daily schedules. Read on for some important tips.

Exercise:

Fat burning exercise can be any form of physical activity that you enjoy. It could be going to the gym, or it could be something more fun like swimming, aerobics, dance, yoga, or Zumba etc. Exercising 5 days a week for 30-40 minutes helps you to stay healthy, lose fat, and stay active. If exercise is responsible for 30% of your fat loss; 40% can be achieved through proper food, 10% from de-stressing, 10% from proper sleep, and 10% from adequate water intake.

Sleep:

It’s not only about exercise and diet, 7-8 hours of sound sleep helps you stay healthy. Sleep deprivation can sabotage your health and add inches to your waistline. A good night’s sleep is required to avoid dozing off during the day, helps you make time for exercise, and concentrate better at work.

Stress:

Stress is directly proportional to the food we eat and our mood swings. Leptin is a “feel full” hormone. If you are stressed, Leptin is not secreted well, and you tend to eat more.

Cortisol is a happy hormone. It regulates energy by drawing on the right type and amount of carbohydrates, fats, or proteins to meet our physiological demands. When chronically elevated, Cortisol can have deleterious effects on weight, immune function, and chronic disease risk.

Water:

Water is important for hydration. 60 percent of our body is made up of water. It is important to flush toxins out by drinking enough water. A person with no ailments can drink up to 3-4 litres in a day to achieve an effective fat burning.

Now that you understand the crucial factors that contribute to a healthier lifestyle, start with simple fat burning exercises, eat healthy, sleep well, stay stress-free, and stay hydrated.

References: Aronson, D. (2009, November). Cortisol — Its Role in Stress, Inflammation, and Indications for Diet Therapy. Retrieved from Today’s dietitian.

Mann, D. (2013, April 30). Will better sleep help you avoid extra pounds? Retrieved from WebMD.

Article contributed by:
LeanSpoon is the leading personalized nutrition company in India, offering convenient health and wellness solutions for individuals and corporates.