How to stay healthy and LIVE strong

Staying healthy comes with numerous benefits to the body. Not only can it give you better energy levels and improve your efficiency with daily tasks, but it can help extend your life. The best approach to take involves proper eating and lifestyle habits. You may not be in control of your genetics, but you can do something about your diet and level of activity.

Step 1

Restrict your calories to keep your weight under control. If you are overweight or obese, it puts you at risk for heart disease as well as conditions including gallstones, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Eat until you feel satisfied and leave the table.

Step 2


Follow a healthy diet that is low in saturated fat. The National Institutes of Health link a diet high in saturated fat to elevated LDL cholesterol level, which is the negative type of cholesterol. Follow a diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans. Avoid foods such as whole-fat dairy products, red meats, deep fried foods and commercial baked goods that contain hydrogenated oils.

Step 3

Perform at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise four or five days a week. This helps the average healthy adult maintain health and reduce the risk for chronic disease according to the American College of Sports Medicine. Do any form of cardio that you enjoy; you can try brisk walking, running, tennis, basketball, inline skating or step aerobics.

Step 4

Incorporate two or three days of weight training into your weekly schedule to strengthen your bones and muscles. Do exercises that focus on all of your major muscle groups like chest presses, upright rows, back rows, triceps extensions, biceps curls and lunges. By adding muscle to your body, you also keep your metabolism elevated and further prevent weight gain.

Step 5

Partake in some form of relaxation activity two or three days a week to keep your stress levels under control. Stress can suppress the immune system, increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, contribute to infertility, and speed up the aging process according to the Help Guide website. Perform yoga, meditative breathing, tai-chi or muscle relaxation to keep your stress under control.

Step 6

Avoid destructive habits that can raise your risk for disease and cause damage to your body. Give up smoking, avoid secondhand smoke, refrain from recreational drug use and keep your intake of alcohol to moderate levels."

"Follow your dreams, work hard, practice and persevere. Make sure you eat a variety of foods, get plenty of exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle."

You are what you eat.