When it comes to life, the little things count. The same is true of your health. Here are some simple things you can do every day to contribute to your health, and even help you lose weight.
Boost Your Fiber Intake with Popcorn
Fiber is pretty amazing. A recent study found that when women doubled their daily fiber intake from 12 to 24 grams, their bodies absorbed 90 calories less per day. So, when it comes time for a snack, reach for high-fiber, low-calorie popcorn. Sweet or salty, crunchy and satisfying, popcorn is delicious and much better for you than pretzels or chips, so much away.
Fix a Bad Mood Fast and Burn a Few Calories with Dance
We all have those days when nothing goes as planned and no one is happy about any of it. Tough days can take a toll on your mood, and lead to questionable coping behaviors like overeating or zoning out on the couch. Fortunately, there’s an easy activity you can do anytime, just about anywhere, that will lift your spirits and zap some calories at the same time: Dance! If you can spend a few minutes in privacy with your iPod or gather your family for an impromptu dance party, you can boost your mood and your health just when you need it most.
Improve Your Diet by Keeping It Simple
When you’re focused on wellness and fitness, it can be very easy to fall into elaborate dietary plans and schemes, relying on expensive processed products like sports drinks and energy bars. But, really, none of that is necessary if you focus instead on choosing whole foods from nature—veggies, unprocessed meats, fruits, nuts, whole grains, water, lean dairy—which will support your energy needs and nourish your body. It’s nature’s guarantee.
Cut Down on Chore Overload and Move a Little Extra Everyday
Do you dread Saturday morning, when you start to tick through your household chore list only to find it seems to get longer instead of shorter the more time you spend working? Chores pile up during the week, it’s unavoidable. But, by tackling one chore per day for a few days per week, you can make huge progress before the weekend comes, and get in a bit of extra movement. Feel trapped doing 5 loads of laundry on a Saturday? Try doing one or two on Wednesday evening to get ahead. Do you get frustrated dusting every room in the house on the same day? Tackle one or two on a couple of evenings during the week and you’ll get it done in short bursts that don’t feel so onerous. Bonus: You’ll burn a few extra calories over a few days—they can add up!
Summers in Columbia are famously hot, and when the mercury rises, so do the hemlines. The best way to feel more comfortable—aside from keeping a bottle of ice-cold water at hand, and spending as much time as possible in the air conditioning—is to wear cool clothes that maximize the amount of heat that escapes your body. But, it’s difficult to be truly comfortable in summertime clothes, especially shorts, if you’re not so confident about your body. But, you don’t have to live with legs and glutes that you wish were different—you can do something about it!
