At the end of a long day, we all just want to fall in a heap and veg out in front of the TV (or maybe the console or PC!) Staying fit and healthy seems like an uphill battle – but you aren’t alone. Thousands of Australians struggle with fitness and nutrition – and you don’t have to be at elite athlete levels of commitment to get in shape and maintain a healthy weight range.
Here are some tips for staying fit and healthy and you don’t have to sacrifice hours and hours at the gym or your favourite foods.
Set a daily activity goal
We can’t win if we don’t keep score. We should set a daily activity goal – at least 20-30 minutes or so – to keep us motivated to move and keep moving. If you work a sedentary or office job, getting a stretch in every hour or taking short walks around the office or surrounds can help you achieve that goal every day. Remember to get it in on weekends, too! You can use a daily fitness app on your smartphone to help track your activity, too.
Home and family workouts
Involving the whole family in workouts and physical activity is one way to keep everyone healthy and create lasting habits for the future. Yoga, pilates, stretching, or just dancing to music is something that everyone can participate in. Get Active Victoria has a wealth of video tutorials so you and the kids can follow along.
Cutting out junk food
If it’s not in the house, you can’t eat it! Having junk food such as sweets and salty fried snacks around leads to temptation – especially if they’re handy. Replacing a bag of chips on the bench with a fruit bowl can nudge you and the kids to make healthier choices. You don’t have to eat like an athlete – cheat days and meals should be the norm. Just remember to keep everything in moderation. Preparing meals in advance also reduces the need for takeaway as everything is ready beforehand – no excuses!
What does your body need?
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Though new home leavers might think a slab of VB and day-old pizza is “fuel” for one’s body, the truth is that all bodies are different and our genetics have a role in what foods our bodies metabolise and need. Getting your bloodwork done may reveal deficiencies in certain micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) which you may need to supplement with additional types of foods.
It may also show you which macronutrients your body prefers (fat, protein, or carbohydrates). For some, high carb diets cause brain fog and sluggishness; while others say that moderate fat and high protein diets keep them satisfied for longer and promote weight loss. Talk to your GP or naturopath to get a read on what your body needs through a panel of targeted blood tests.
Remember to think ahead
One aspect of keeping healthy is to avoid the doctor’s office; but we also have to plan for every eventuality. Having health insurance can protect your family from paying out of pocket for major surgery or waiting for months in the public health system. Extras cover can also supplement your health with dental, physiotherapy, optical, and other options to help maintain your fitness and health. If you’re wondering where you can find cheap health insurance that gives you peace of mind, see more here: www.savvy.com.au/health-insurance/cheap-health-insurance/
With a few simple changes to your routine, you too can get fit and healthy!
