Health results when everything in the body works well. The body is an incredibly complex system, and like any system, it requires information to continue to function at an optimal level. The two most important inputs are nutrition and exercise.
Nutrition reflects the supply of materials needed by our system. What you eat goes into your body, so the right balance of macronutrients and micronutrients is vital. Macronutrients include fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and water. Micronutrients include vitamins and minerals.
Unfortunately, modern society tends to favor unhealthy foods. Fewer people are cooking, and the result is a higher intake of fake, processed junk food. The health-conscious consumer needs to realize that just because something is marketed as edible doesn’t mean we should eat it.
The modern diet gets more than enough protein, fat, and sugar, but tends to lack enough water, fiber, and vitamins. In terms of supplying the latter, multivitamin supplements are fine, but the secret to a well-nourished body is variety in the diet. A good rule of thumb is that the fresher the food and the less processed, the better it is for you. If one decreases the intake of fake foods and increases the intake of water, fruits and vegetables, the quality of nutrition will increase.
A body with a healthy nutritional supply still requires exercise. Exercise fine-tunes your system so it can function at an optimal level. Like a grand piano, if you don’t tune your body regularly, decline and discord will manifest.
Regular exercise helps maintain weight, relieve stress, and improve mood and sleep quality. Different exercises have different benefits. Cardio improves the vascular system; the heart and veins, as well as the immune system. Strength training increases muscle mass and helps burn fat. It also increases bone density, an especially significant benefit for women.
The key to regular exercise is variety and finding activities that you enjoy. Keep an open mind. Biking, hiking, martial arts, recreational sports, yoga, and dancing are just a few examples of exercises that can become lifelong passions. Getting a gym membership is another great alternative. It is true that exercise options are limited by your environment and lifestyle. Exercises that everyone can do at home include jumping rope, hula hoop, dumbbells, and exercise videos. Many of these activities will be more enjoyable and sustainable if you have a partner to join you.
Whichever way you decide is right for you, remember that a healthy body as a result of good nutrition and regular exercise is well worth the effort.