We've all heard it time and time again, lose weight, eat healthy, get active, go to the gym, eat less, lift weights...the list goes on! But what exactly is healthy? Is it going to the gym 5 days a week for 60 minutes each? Is it walking the dog for 20 minutes a day? Or is cutting your calorie intake to 1000 per day (for you ladies) considered healthy? What about eating fruits all day?



There are just too many information out there regarding health and fitness that we get too overwhelm by it all to the point that we stop listening and continue the same old habits. Instead of trying to imitate the a fitness model's diet or workout routine because it worked for him or her, you should always take into consideration the variables of the human body.  Not everyone's body is made the same, so you shouldn't it treat it that way. To me, living a healthy lifestyle means eating fresh and whole foods, avoiding anything that is processed and staying active through fitness and recreational activities. I cook 80% of my meals at home, shopping for fresh ingredients at local (sometimes organic specific) grocery stores mostly on the same day I want to use them.  I go to the gym 4-5 days a week strength training and light cardio when my schedule permits, then I attend Krav Maga classes in the evening which consists of more cardio.  On any given weekend, I will ride my road bike for a more low-impact exercise to keep my stamina up.  This may all sound like a lot of work to live healthily, but it really doesn't take much to make those changes in your life.

Making small changes leads to big results. Avoid eating out when possible, avoiding fast food restaurants.  When cooking, use fresh ingredients located on the outer aisles of the grocery stores (produce and meat sections), preparing meals ahead of time will eliminate last minute bad food choices. If working out isn't part of your daily routine due to a busy schedule, just think 60 minutes is only 4% of your day. Instead of using the entire 1 hour lunch break, you can always eat your lunch for 30 minutes then use the other 30 minutes by walking the stairs or around your office building.  Break up your activities throughout the day if you have to.

These are the types of minor changes you can make to start your healthy lifestyle. Don't feel so overwhelmed by all the diet fads, the fitness hypes and the pressure to lose, lose, lose! Remember, it's a lifestyle, which means you learn each day by mistakes and successes on what healthy means to you.

Stay TUF!