Doing 1 Hour of Exercise is Great But the Other 23 Hours Count As Well
Discover Our Categories
Introduction
Everyone knows the health benefits of physical exercise. Some of us spend long hours in the gym every day, either to keep fit or to maintain overall well-being. Living healthy is a serious business and therefore requires a whole lot from us. The choice we make in life, determines to a greater extent how healthy or unhealthy we become.
A healthy lifestyle is an intentional and conscious act. It comes with understanding and knowledge of what works and what doesn’t. While physical exercise or going to the gym remains one of the best ways to keep fit and maintain a healthy weight, what happens after physical activity helps to sustain a good lifestyle. The objective of this article therefore, is to make the case that 1hr of gym or physical exercise daily might be all you need to live a healthy lifestyle if only you can be intentional and faithful about what happens in the remaining 23hrs.
It is crucial to note that when it comes to a healthy lifestyle, there is no one side fits it all approach. The common myth that getting fit is only about eating healthy and exercising is no longer sustainable. In practical terms, creating a healthy lifestyle and maintaining it, is without doubt, a function of so many other factors. It is about being able to keep a positive mind-set, healthy self-image, and strong mental health.
Furthermore, although there is an avalanche of knowledge on how to live a healthy lifestyle, let us at this point look at some of the few ways that can help you navigate through your journey towards a successful healthy living.
Eating right.
This one is very vital to achieving a healthy lifestyle. Good eating habits are not only necessary but also a divine mandate. God is interested in what we eat. There’s no wonder that in the Garden of Eden, the first instruction to Adam and Eve was about what to eat and what not to eat. “Of all the Trees in the garden, this you shall not eat from” the failure to obey the Golden Rule, that little instruction, did not only send them out of Eden, but also destroy their life and comfort completely.
You too can take charge of your health by what you decide to eat or do. Knowing what to eat, when to eat and how to eat is very vital to your overall health. Your brain, more than your stomach, is responsible for feelings of hunger and satisfaction. When you take your time during meals and eat slowly, you allow your brain sufficient time to send the “full ” message to your stomach, and allow your food to be fully ingested. Don’t rely on an empty plate to know when to stop.
Drink enough water.
Perhaps, this is one of the most important aspects of healthy living and how organs properly function, and digestion. About 70 percent of our body fluid is water. Studies have shown that most of us don’t drink enough water daily. Whereas, water is crucial for the functionality of the body. Water is also vital for carrying out important body functions, removal of waste, transporting of nutrients and oxygen throughout our body system.
Since we expel water every day through urination, bowel movements, breathing and perspiration, it is expedient we replenish the water content in our bodies continually There are some scholarly arguments out there as to the right amount of water to be taken daily, but while that is still unresolved, due to many factors, like male versus female and activity level. Generally speaking, an average adult needs 8-10 glasses of water a day. A good way to know you are drinking enough water is by your urine colour which should be either colorless or pale yellow.
Avoid negative people around you.
Positive mental health is essential for a healthy lifestyle. You don’t need negative people around you. Nothing deteriorates one’s mental health than allowing yourself to be surrounded by negative people. At any point you feel a person in your circle is negative, please let him or her out of your life. There is no gain in managing negative people. I understand, it can be difficult, and we have all encountered those people but taking necessary action is key to address the situation for your own peace. Life is just too short for that.
Avoid negative energy.
Surround yourself with lovely people, avoid negative energy within you. Be prudent in your spending, strive for a life of financial freedom. Live within your means, love yourself, try to refrain from negative thoughts and treat people like you would want to be treated. Overreacting often happens when one feels unhappy, forget the negative effects of the past, be optimistic about the present and the future. Create fun moments with your loved ones, this is vital for a healthy state of mind.
Trigger Food? Run!
Restrain yourself from trigger food. These are foods you can’t seem to put out of your mind or ones you know you will over indulge.. Our trigger foods are different and differ from individuals. I remember years back when I was training a client, I discovered she couldn’t do without chocolate, her craving for it increased, and very soon she began to add weight.
As she struggled to keep up with her gym appointment, one day, I asked her to take a second look at her cravings for chocolate consumption. I knew this was a no-no for her but I felt it necessary to bring it up. My client did do something about it and before long she got a handle on it, and back in shape. She now sees the payoff of her workouts and does not need to struggle with her gym appointments. Bad habits can be addictive, and very difficult to stop. However, to live right self-discipline and self-control is an absolute must and moderation is key.
Prepare your meal yourself.
This is another very important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, we live in an era where our schedules seem not to be allowing us enough time for ourselves, as a result we are overly dependent on fast food, junk food and inorganic foods, we eat whatever comes out of convenience not whatever is vital. Make time to prepare your food, be in charge of what goes into your body. Good living is mostly about the quality of choices you made.
Cut down the intake of processed foods.
Processed food is not usually good for our health. Essential nutritional values are often lost during the making of processed foods. Again, the preservatives are generally bad for our health. These types of food contain a high degree of salt which could lead to high blood pressure and heart diseases. The more ingredients there are in the label, the more processed that particular item can be.
Move towards a low calorie alternative.
There are many low fat options out there, readily available in almost all the grocery stores. Try replacing your full-fat pantry staples for low fat versions for over a period of time.
Eat more vegetables and fruits.
This is a very tricky one. While eating vegetables and lots of fruits are traditionally advisable because of the amount of vitamins and mineral components essential for our health.
New studies are showing that some blood groups don’t really do well with vegetables and fruits. For example, Blood Group 0+ can do very well with meat but do very poorly with vegetables. It is advised you find out from your personal physician what best works for you depending on your blood. Follow. Some traditional wisdom with a pinch of salt. Always seek for new knowledge and discoveries.
Quit smoking and alcohol.
If you must live a healthy life, quit smoking now. Smoking affects your health negatively, that is a fact. Stop for your own good and the good of those around you. Drink less alcohol, it is best you drink in moderation if you drink at all.
God's plan for healthy lifestyle.
The Bible is filled with so many examples of God’s intention for man. Leviticus 11 and 14 has so much to say about what meat to eat and not to eat. Moses gave the Israelites many health laws. The generation before Noah lived longer than the generation before it. It is said that the generation before Noah ate more vegetables and beans. Their eating without any modicum of doubt accounted for their extraordinary longevity. But immediately man started depending too much on meat, the average life span reduced drastically
Even with meat, God was still very selective. No wonder God instructed Noah to save certain types of animal before that generation was destroyed by flood. If it could fly or swim and came from the ground, you can be safe with that choice.
Finally, be intentional on the way you live your life.
Your health is a big deal, therefore be intentional about whatever you do about it. Be intentional about what you eat, who you associate with, and what kind of book you read. Be intentional about the kind of exercise you do, remember the Bible says; physical exercise profit little but spiritual exercise profit more. (1Timothy 4:8), be intentional about your spirituality.
The Holy Spirit speaking through John said he wished above all things that we prosper and also be in good health. (3 John 2-5). We cannot enjoy prosperity if we are not healthy. Hence we must be intentional if we must achieve a healthy lifestyle, we must not live our health to chance. 1 hour daily of physical exercise could be all we need to achieve a healthy lifestyle provided we are intentional the way we spent the rest of 23hrs of each day.