By Andres Aguirre
Exercising and having healthy habits can be difficult, especially when you don’t have any knowledge on how to do it. If you are anything like me, you know that working out and eating healthy can be a struggle, but that doesn’t mean that it is too late to learn and start today. Reasons why people don’t exercise or improve their diet is because they have a lack of knowledge, don’t have enough time, don’t have support, and don’t have equipment or a gym. The following tips will help you with your journey to achieving the healthy lifestyle you have always wanted.
Eating Habits
Eating healthy can be more difficult for some people than others. Most people think that eating healthier means spending more money. Although, some healthier foods can be little pricey that doesn’t mean you can’t reduce the amount of junk food you consume. Recognizing what foods you can take out of your diet can help with your health. Different methods work for different people; some people can immediately take out foods from their diet and some people have to slowly reduce the amount they intake. If you are someone who frequently goes to fast food restaurants, then the best thing to do is to slowly reduce the amount of times you go. There are many easy recipes you can find online to make at home, especially if you are on a budget. Another thing is to recognize what foods will increase your weight. Foods that have a lot of carbs, like pasta or potatoes, will definitely make you gain weight faster. This doesn’t mean you can’t eat pasta but try not to eat it so often. It is also important to consume a good amount of protein, especially if you are trying to build muscle. Staying away from sugary foods and candy is crucial to someone’s diet; find alternative sweets, like fruit.
Exercising
There are many different types of exercises that someone can do to stay healthy. Eastern New Mexico University faculty, staff, and students have free access to the Max Pac gym in the Greyhound Arena. There is also a field with a track to walk or run on next to the Max Pac. One big reason why people don’t go to the gym is because they are embarrassed and might not know what to do. There are hundreds of workout routines to do at home and without any equipment. Athlean-X is a YouTube channel that helps with workout routines that show the correct form or exercises. These are great to make sure you exercise correctly and avoid injury. These will definitely help you get started and boost your confidence by working out in the comfort of your own home. Here is an example of an at home workout;
- 20 Bodyweight squats.
- 10 Push-ups.
- 10 Walking lunges (each leg).
- 15 Second Plank.
- 30 Jumping jacks.
Repeat 2-3 times.
Sleep/Rest
Sleep is essential when it comes to building muscle, losing weight, and for your overall health. According to sleepfoundation.org, the recommended number of hours of sleep an adult should get is between 7-9 hours. It seems like common sense that the less sleep someone gets, the less their bodies will function properly. I know that it is difficult for some people to get the recommended hours of sleep due to work, school or other commitments. Sometimes naps are needed in people’s schedule to catch up on sleep. The recommended time for a nap to feel refreshed and reenergized is between 10-20 minutes according to www.sleep.org. If a nap goes any longer between 30-60 minutes that person will go into a deeper stage of the sleep cycle. This causes a person to feel groggy and can sometimes make you more tired than before the nap. If you just want to rest on the couch for a bit, then reading a book or looking at an educational article/video is more beneficial than mindlessly scrolling through social media.
Hopefully these tips encourage you on your journey to a healthier lifestyle or help you start one. Remember it is never too late to look out for your health and yourself.
