Here are 9 fitness tips to give you (hopefully) 9 lives:
1) Drink, drink, drink- Water, we mean. All your body fluids contain water so replenishing them is your duty. The usual recommendation is 8 glasses of water a day but depending on your body type (heavier women need more water) and situation (whether pregnant, breast-feeding) the requirement differs. Not drinking enough water can lead to headaches, dehydration, urine infections and all sorts of problems.
2) Put out the cigarette- Smoking is a big health concern. It’s detrimental to women, especially in their role as pregnant mothers. Smoking also leads to chronic cough and lung cancer, which is very common nowadays.
3) Eat smart- Stock up on proteins and vitamins. When eating out, avoid buffets and order in such a way that you can share with another friend or family member. If you have a big garden, why not grow fruits and vegetables, so that you can be assured of the quality.
4) Mix it up- Eating nutritious foods is not enough. You need to give some variety to your diet. Plan your meals ahead so that you can do the grocery shopping appropriately and eat different food in a week. When it comes to fruits and vegetables, select different colors in order to get all the vitamins and minerals you need.
5) Wind down every day- We all have our crazy days. Don’t let office work or housework compete for your attention every hour. Keep some time reserved for yourself and for family. Do breathing exercises in between tasks or find time to meditate. It will bring down stress levels and calm your senses.
6) Floss- Don’t underestimate the importance of dental hygiene to your overall health. Not only does it keep your gums clean but you will be freed of infections which can cause heart disease and stroke. Make it an everyday habit, along with brushing teeth.
7) Say no to caffeine- We love our coffee but is it worth all the damage to our bodies? Forget constipation and sleep disorders, the chemicals in coffee beans can elevate blood pressure and bad cholesterol and give rise to coronary artery disease. Coffee should be avoided by pregnant mothers and women who want to be come pregnant, because it affects fertility.
8) Catch some snooze- If you are not sleeping 7 hours a day, you are tiring the body. Irrelevant of the level of activity, each of us needs this minimum period of rest. Late hours or sleepless nights can lead to anxiety, eating disorders, headaches, lack of concentration and irritability. Insomnia is another serious concern.
9) Get active- You don’t need to join a gym to work out. Making small, positive changes in your lifestyle can help. Heed that old saying which tells you to never sit when you can stand and never stand when you can walk. Don’t spend free time on tv. Go for a walk or take up an active hobby, like swimming or tennis.
