There are 10 essential ingredients to a Healthier You. The first is having an active lifestyle. Notice that I didn’t say “exercise”. That’s because the concept of exercise is often seen as an unpleasant but necessary part of a healthy lifestyle. As well, it’s too easy to look at exercise as a specific time of activity that we schedule into our day when we can find the time.

Now I’m not discounting exercise. Consistent scheduled activity can go a long ways to helping you lose weight.  However, it needs to be more than that. After years of telling us to exercise 30 minutes a day, researchers are now finding out that it’s what you do most of the time that’s most important. A sedentary lifestyle (defined as sitting more than 23 hours a week) greatly increases your risk of being overweight and sick, even when you routinely exercise 30 minutes a day. 

It all comes down to attitude and intention. Have the intention to be more active. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Don’t sit for longer than an hour without breaking it up with some activity – even if it’s just to get up and stretch or have a short walk. 

"I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks. Haven't lost a pound. Apparently you have to show up?"  ~ Unknown ~

Check-In:

1. Look for at least 3 ways to be more active today.  
2. Post on Facebook about your choices to be more active.
3. If you have a fitness coach, work with them to come up with a plan that you can do today and throughout the program.
4. Remember your vitamins and probiotics (more on why this is so important in the days to come).
5. Keep journalling.