5 To Dos for Optimal Health
Eat Breakfast – It really is the most important meal of the day according to most nutritionists. One study showed that women who ate a big breakfast lost 21% of their body weight after 8 months vs. 4.5% for women on a low-carb diet whose breakfast was their smallest meal of the day. What’s more – the women who ate a hearty breakfast continued to lose weight over time while the low-carb group started gaining at 4 months.
Do Your Strength Training – When it comes to working out, strength training will get you the most bang for your buck. Strength training reduces body fat, increases lean muscle and spurs your body to burn calories more efficiently. It raises your resting metabolism so you’ll burn calories during your workout and continue to burn more all day long. And, strength training can increase bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Get More Calcium & Vitamin D – Both are essential for strong bones. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that women in their 40s get 1,000 mg of calcium and 400 to 800 IU of vitamin D every day from foods like fortified milk or salmon, along with supplements if needed.
Control Your Stress Level – It has been proven that stress makes you age faster. Consistent stress triggers physical changes in your body that can lead to high blood pressure, lower brain energy and lower libido. Some experts even suggest that stress can cause diseases like cancer.
Get Your Protein – Protein is essential to a healthy body. It helps with everything from building lean muscle to boosting your mood and improving your memory. Shoot for 4 ounces of protein at each meal. And, don’t skip the healthy carbs!
