Obesity is a burgeoning problem in the United States According to date from 2009 to 2010, over 78 million American adults and 12.5 million children were obese. By 2030, it’s estimated that about half of all American adults will be obese. With that being said, the issue less obesity itself, than the health problems that come with obesity. Obesity is often linked to a myriad of health problems, including diabetes and cardiovascular problems, which can be — in the long term — killers.
There are a number of different reasons why Americans are trending towards obesity. One of those reasons, of course, is diet. Fast food restaurants have more than doubled in number since the 1970s, and in suite Americans usually exceed the recommended intakes of calories from solid fats and added sugars, as well as refined grains, sodium, and saturated fats. But perhaps an even bigger issue is the lack of physical activity experienced by many Americans in this day and age. Kids today usually spend over 7.5 hours in front of a screen every day, with many teenagers preferring to play video games rather than sports. So — how do we change this in the long term? Below, we’ll explore how to alter your lifestyle to encourage better diet and exercise. From investing in premium fitness equipment to altering your diet, seemingly small changes can have big impacts!
Home Fitness: How To Create A More Active Household
If you’re surrounded by great exercise equipment at home, it stands to reason that it will be easier for you to be active at home. Premium fitness equipment shouldn’t viewed as a luxury so much as it is an investment in your health. For one thing, premium fitness equipment in the house essentially helps you turn your home — or a part of it — into a kind of gym. It makes it easier for you to exercise the way you need to, when you need to. Of course, like any items, fitness equipment needs to be bought at a reputable location. Don’t rely on secondhand sellers to buy sports equipment. Premium fitness equipment bought from a sports store is reliable, and therefore safe to use. Therefore, it will also be a better long-term investment.
Dietary Changes: Incorporating A Good Diet Into Everyday Life
Dietary changes can sometimes be harder to make than changes in fitness. People love their favorite foods — and giving them up is hard. With that being said, it can be done. Do your research; most of your favorite foods probably have healthy alternatives! A lot of people also worry about the expense that plays into buying healthier food. Unfortunately, buying healthy can sometimes mean spending more, due to the nature of today’s market. With that being said, even more expensive fruits and vegetables can be bought for less money, if you shop at budget grocery store chains. Get creative, and think outside the box! When you cut “bad” foods out of your diet, quit cold turkey. You can incorporate “cheat days” into your diet later, but they can be overly tempting in the early days. Really, don’t consider this dieting — consider it a long-term lifestyle change.
Healthy Living: Updating Your Routine
Sometimes, working towards a healthier lifestyle means overhauling your daily routine entirely. If you’re going to sit down and watch TV — why not exercise while you’re doing it? Pick up weights, do crunches, indulge in some lunges. If you have a dog, why not go from walking it for a few minutes to jogging with it for half an hour? For that matter, spend time with your family by walking with them as well! Make socializing more active — before you know it, you won’t see exercise as something you have to do, but rather something you want to do.
The fact is that changing your lifestyle to become healthier is a positive thing! Treat it as such, versus a chore — and you’ll find you’ll not only be healthier, but happier.
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