You’ve probably heard a lot of “rules” for losing weight and living a healthy lifestyle: You have to be active for 60 minutes a day. You have to eat five vegetables and fruits a day. You have to get at least 8 1/2 hours of sleep a night. But we believe that in reality, if you try to change too many things at once, the chances are you’re going to fail, and then you’re not going to try at all. So take it slow, you can’t change your whole life at once, but you can surely change 1 small part of it.

You have the power to decide what that first step will be. You can cut out soda for a week, or avoid bagel for a week.  There are many ways that are practical and doable. It’s a matter of being patient with yourself.

If you go on a crash diet such as orange juice/Vegetable juice diet to get into a pair of skinny jeans by a certain date, you won’t be building healthy eating habits, your body stresses out, so you’re likely to give up and gain back the weight. If your goal instead is to get healthier and reach a healthy weight for you, you’re more likely to stick with it.

So be patient, give yourself time and commit to doable short-term goals, such as walking three times a week or cutting out junk food for a week or take up gardening, as it will give you pleasure as well as burn 162 calories per half hr. If you set attainable goals, you’re more likely to achieve them — and that will fuel future successes.

You’ll feel better.

You’ll actually be happier if your goal is to eat healthy and exercise regularly, not to starve yourself. You’ll have more stamina, more strength. Your mood will be better. It’s about feeling good from the inside out, rather than the outside in.  You should do it not for other people, but for yourself.

Few easy exercising tips:

• While cooking, do calf raise stretch while waiting for your pot to boil
• During TV commercials, jog in place
• Put on music and dance as if you are teen again.
• If you’re pressed for time and waiting for something either at work or home, do ab exercises. Contract the muscles around your belly button. Then elevate your upper torso, and release. Finally, contract your buttocks for a few seconds.

You should always consult your doctor before starting any diet or workout plan.

Eating Right and Staying Active is no rocket science

So here we are in 2012…hopefully you are beginning this New Year with lot of resolutions such as more partying, working hard, letting go, more adventures etc.  Don’t forget that nothing is possible without health.  We believe that staying healthy and fit is the greatest achievement of one’s life.  Frankly speaking, it’s not a rocket science; just eating right and staying active would do the job for you. Don’t need to spend hours in the gym, just dance, jump, go up and down the stairs anything for 15-20 minutes each day will do magic.

As a New Year resolution, some of our friends are doing extremes by quitting sweets (in any form) or grains or dairy. Being committed is good, but healthy eating is not about strict nutrition philosophies, staying unrealistically thin, or depriving yourself of the foods you love. Rather, it’s about feeling great, having more energy, and keeping yourself as healthy as possible– all of which can be achieved by learning some nutrition basics and using them in a way that works for you.

Healthy eating begins with learning how to “eat smart”—it’s not just what you eat, but how you eat. Your food choices can reduce your risk of illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, as well as defend against depression. Additionally, learning the habits of healthy eating can boost your energy, sharpen your memory and stabilize your mood. You can expand your range of healthy food choices and learn how to plan ahead to create and maintain a satisfying, healthy diet.

Trust us…your body deserves the best.  If you have any concerns please visit one of our doctors to find out what is best for your health.