Small Lifestyle Changes With Big Health Benefits

January 13 2014

Small Lifestyle Changes With Big Health Benefits

Whether your goal is to lose weight, build muscle, maintain better health or a combination of the three, making some small changes to your lifestyle will help you achieve these goals and more. Many people struggle with their health and fitness goals because they fail to address the core problem: poor lifestyle choices. You can spend all day working out at the gym, but it’s not going to have much effect unless you address the underlying problem.

Take The Stairs

Do you opt for the comfort and convenience of the elevator when going to work? If so, you should consider taking the stairs instead. According to an article published by Duke University, climbing just two flights of stairs daily can help you shed 6 pounds over the course of a year.

Climbing stairs is a powerful calorie-burning activity that works to build stronger leg muscles. And best of all, it’s something that only takes a couple minute to perform. Even if you don’t have access to stairs at your home or work, you could drive a nearby school to run and up and down their bleachers during the off hours.

Wear Ankle Weights

I admit that I’m a huge fan of ankle weights for a number of a reasons; they are inexpensive, easy to wear, and they don’t get in the way of your normal clothing. Most importantly, though, you can wear them practically anywhere at any time.

The next time you’re going for a run, walk or performing some yard work, gear up a pair of ankle weights. The additional weight wrapped around your ankles forces your body — and muscles — to work overtime. This translates into more calories being burned while encouraging more muscle mass.

Kick The Soda

Soda is arguably one of the worst beverages for your health; in addition to its highly acidic nature (which eats away at tooth enamel), it’s loaded in sugar and calories. According to helpfdc.info, drinking just a single soda per day for an entire year is the equivalent of consuming a whopping 35 pounds of sugar!

Instead of drinking soda, drink good old fashioned water. The human body — like every other living organism on Earth — needs water to survive. Some people follow the eight, 8-ounce glasses of water per day rule, but the main thing to remember is that you want to listen to your body. If you are thirsty, suffering from dry mouth, feeling fatigued or noticing any other symptoms of dehydration, grab a bottle of water.