Small Changes for a Healthier 2014
Posted February 27, 2014 in Healthy Lifestyle, Liposuction, Tummy Tuck
With the start of a new year, many people search for ways to be healthier and lose weight. Some vow to not eat another carb, while others may have the goal of performing strenuous exercise for an hour or more every day. Rather than trying to implement big lifestyle changes that will likely be too difficult to follow through with, the best way to achieve your goals for a healthier and thinner you in 2014 is by making small changes in your routine that you can realistically maintain.
Move More
Exercise is important for our bodies, and studies have shown that it improves everything from our moods to our immune systems to the length of our lives. However, exercise doesn’t always have to be strenuous and make you drip with sweat. While getting your heart rate up with aerobic exercise is important for increasing cardiovascular endurance, you don’t have to go running or cycling every day to burn calories. Simply walking for 20 to 30 minutes on a regular basis has been shown to improve health, and you can even split this up into 3 short 10-minute walks throughout the day if you’re pressed for time. Choosing the stairs instead of the elevator and parking a little farther away from your destination are also small changes that will help you move toward fitting into those skinny jeans.
Stretch
Flexibility practices are considered types of physical exercise, and they improve the range of motion of your joints and muscles. Stretching can create good posture and allows you to perform everyday activities with greater efficiency, which improves the rate at which your body burns calories. It is best to stretch when the muscles are warm and the body temperature is raised, so after working out or going for a walk is the perfect time to stretch. If you haven’t warmed up your muscles, simply do some jumping jacks or jog in place for a few minutes to increase your muscle and joint flexibility. For more information, read WebMD’s “The Truth About Stretching.”
Hydrate
The human body consists of approximately 60 percent water, so it’s important that your body gets enough of this critical hydrogen-oxygen compound for healthy functioning. Water energizes muscles so you don’t get fatigued during a workout, and dehydration slows down the fat-burning process. Drinking a full glass of water before eating can reduce the amount of calories you consume because you will feel full faster. Additionally, substituting water for calorie-filled beverages and choosing foods with higher water contents will help keep you hydrated and also reduce your caloric intake to aid in weight loss. Hydrate your body for a healthier you this year and for every year to come.
If you’ve made changes for a healthier body but are still left with areas of fat or excess skin, Dr. Dubrow offers a variety of procedures to give you the body you’ve been working hard to achieve. The liposuction procedure is an effective way to eliminate stubborn fat, and tummy tuck surgery can repair stretched stomach muscles while removing excess skin and fat.
Dr. Terry Dubrow is certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Dubrow believes in a personalized approach to patient care and is dedicated to understanding the needs and desires of his patients in order to achieve the results they desire. Please call (949) 515-4111 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your consultation today.