Time Management & Healthy Living Goes Hand in Hand

Many people that are successful in all areas of life are people who know how to manage their time. Not only are they organized, they accomplish what they set out to do. Do you ever look at highly successful people and wander how they do all that they do and still manage to exercise and eat healthy?

Here are some tips that may help you manage your time while including a health regimen:

1.      Daily track your time.  If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, a nutritionist may tell you to keep a food journal because it keeps you from eating mindlessly. It’s the same with time. Write down what you’re doing as often as you can so you know what to eliminate and how you can spend it more productively.

A lot of our time is spent unproductively for example; at night you may spend time watching TV. Instead of just sitting there, use this time to get on your elliptical while your favorite show is on or record it later so you can watch while you exercise in the morning.

2.      It all starts in the morning.  What you do in the morning usually determines what the rest of your day looks like. When you have an unproductive morning, this seems to dictate the rest of your day.

Start your day with some personal growth such as, reading a daily devotional or inspirational message. Praying for your day can keep you on track, and helps you set your priorities. Map out your day by writing in your day planner.

3.      Build your habits. Turning a desire into a ritual requires willpower. Use these steps to optimize your routine:

·         Start at a slow pace – Go to bed 15 minutes early so you can get your exercise regimen in. Then the next week increase it to 20 minutes earlier.

·         Monitor your energy – Eating right and exercising daily will give you the energy you need to have a productive day.

·         Choose one habit at a time to work on – If you want to run, pray and begin to eat healthier, pick one at a time until you have it accomplished and then begin the other.

·         Chart your progress – This will help you see how you are doing and what you need to change to form your habit. When you feel as if you’ve forgotten something such as brushing your teeth, then you know you have formed a habit.

·         Use external motivations – Promise yourself something you really enjoy once you’ve successfully formed a habit.

In conclusion, if you will learn how to manage your time, and set priorities you are on your way to a healthier and more productive life! 

Five Ways Exercise Can Lead To a Healthier Lifestyle

The next time you begin craving sweets or want to down half a pizza, go take a hike or a jog. Exercise, especially cardio exercise can help decrease your cravings. Here are five ways exercise can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle:

1.      In a recent study that was published by Appetite, people who took a brisk fifteen minute walk, cut their cravings for chocolate by 12%. Not only does it cut cravings for sweets, but it also can cause you to crave healthier foods. Why ruin a great workout by eating junk food!

2.      Lose the belly fat. A study in the journal Obesity found that just 80 minutes of cardio a week slows weight gain and even stopped participants from gaining visceral fat which is the dangerous kind inside the abdomen, and has been linked to diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

3.      Exercise can diffuse nicotine cravings. Research shows that 10-15 minute aerobic sessions triggers changes in the brain which decreases cravings in smokers. Cardio exercise has also been found to decrease thoughts of smoking.

4.      Vigorous activity can help maintain healthy vision. It has also been discovered that people who ran 1.2 – 2.5 miles a day had a 19 percent lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, while those who ran more cut their chance by 42 to 54 percent, according to a study from Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. Cardio exercise may also decrease cataract risk.

5.      Exercise can decrease the risk of breast cancer. In study done by Medicine & Science Sports & Exercise it has been found that women who do moderate exercise for 2.5 hours a week or rigorous activity for 75 minutes a week decrease their chance of dying of breast cancer by a third.

Aerobic exercise and sweat also helps your body release toxins that are stored in fat. When toxins are built up in our body, we experience various health issues. Many people, who only do mild to moderate exercise, are not getting the benefits of a vigorous workout.

In conclusion, cardio exercise is important to maintaining a healthier lifestyle. Not only will you feel better and have more energy, you will also decrease your risk of several diseases, obesity and other health issues.

 So put on your sneakers and take a vigorous walk or run today.  Think of all the benefits of exercise; enjoy your heart pumping, your legs moving and your body sweating!  You may not feel good at first but you will be thankful you did!