Healthy Habits Improve Your Productivity & Performance

You’ve certainly heard the phrase, “You are what you eat.” And it’s true! Your choices affect your everyday life. What you eat today and how you take care of your body will make a difference not only in how you look and feel, but also how well you perform and work with others.

How Nutrition Influences Your Health

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), unhealthy eating habits have contributed to the obesity epidemic in the United States: about one-third of U.S. adults (33.8%) are obese and approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents ages 2–19 years are obese. That’s an alarming number.

In addition to being overweight, many adults can suffer from additional side effects due to unhealthy eating and poor exercise habits: heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), and osteoporosis.

The good news is that much of the damage done by improper eating and lack of exercise can be reversed. By changing your dietary intake today, you can change your future health for tomorrow.

Adopting a healthier lifestyle can produce the following health benefits.

• Weight loss
•  Improved mood and attitude
• Better productivity
• Fewer chronic health conditions and diseases
• Reduced medications
• Higher energy level
• Better sleep
• Improved relationships
• Higher self-esteem
• Longer life span
• Less stress
• Increased energy
• Clearer thinking
• And more!

Make the Change Today for a Healthier YOU Tomorrow!

Beginning a lifestyle of healthy eating and exercising is an investment in yourself. Many people who adopt healthier lifestyles find that their chronic health issues fade or disappear. Patients are even able to discontinue some medications (under doctor supervision, of course).

One rule of thumb is to engage in at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise and two full-body strength training sessions each week. In addition, you should eat a diet that is nutritionally diverse, high in fiber, and low in fat and sodium. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor or consult with a nutritionist before making any large or permanent changes to your diet.

The Secret to Healthy Success

Healthier eating and exercise will improve your overall work performance and efficiency both on and off the job. The key is to change both your eating and exercise habits at the same time. You don’t have to go crazy by making big, sweeping changes. Start simple.

If you haven’t exercised in a while, try walking for one-half mile the first week. Then increase the length of your walk each week. If walking isn’t for you, you may want to start running, going to the gym, attending yoga classes or taking part in some other individual or group sport or physical activity.

The same incremental concept applies with your eating habits. Of course, always follow your doctor’s recommendations first.

You may want to try changing one meal at a time. As you get used to each change in your new eating routine, incorporate another meal into your new dietary routine. Within a few months, you will have comfortably changed what you eat for the better. You’ll be feeling better and looking better, while only making manageable changes.

Healthier choices will always lead to a healthier you. Find out the difference these changes can make in your life!