6 Easy Ways to Look and Feel Better

1. Fruit and veg Fruit and vegetables are great sources of fiber, natural sugar and starch, and a whole host of vitamins and nutrients the body n…

Health can be complicated, and that’s because, well, it is. There are a lot of moving parts, and keeping up with them can be difficult.

But health can also be simple. With a little focus on the right things, it’s easy to take command of your health, and feel and look the difference.

Here are just 6 ways to look and feel better:

1. Fruit and veg

Fruit and vegetables are great sources of fiber, natural sugar and starch, and a whole host of vitamins and nutrients the body needs. Not to mention they’re also fairly easy to carry around with you, and require next-to-no prep before eating, so they make a great snack. Eat fruit with breakfast, snack on veggies mid-morning, add 2-3 servings of vegetables to lunch and dinner, and eat fruit for dessert – they’re easier to incorporate than you might think.

2. Calorie counting

WIth weight loss, it’s a pretty straightforward equation: you need more calories out than calories in. Now obviously, this can be hard to monitor on your own, but if you have a handy app to do it for you (*clears throat* Lifesum), it’s pretty easy to do. You want weight loss to be steady, so make sure you’re eating enough and don’t go hungry or end up binging later.

3. Sleep

7-9 hours a night. Lack of sleep affects everything from the way we perform at work to the way we eat. This means that getting a good night’s rest is the best way to ensure healthier choices throughout the day.

4. Protein power

Protein is key for building and restoring muscle, and it helps to keep you fuller for longer. Make it the heart of each meal and build up the rest of your plate with filling and fibrous veggies. And don’t worry vegetarians; it doesn’t have to be meat to be protein, plant-based works too.

5. Strength training

Experts recommend strength training 2-5 times a week. Strength training is any exercise that uses resistance to contract and expand muscles, increases your strength and endurance, and grows the size of your muscles. Typical strength training exercises include lifting weights, working out with resistance bands, push-ups, squats and sit-ups, and hill walking.

6. Regular movement

Cultivating an active lifestyle is one of the keys to great health. Find active activities you enjoy doing, and do them regularly. Walking the dog, wakeboarding, surfing, skiing, playing catch with the kids; whatever it is, if you enjoy it and it gets you moving, do it!

Which of these are you going to try this week?

All of the content and media on Lifesum is created and published for information purposes only. It is not intended to be used as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Users should always consult with a doctor or other health care professional for medical advice. If you have or think you are at risk of developing an eating disorder, do not use the Lifesum app and seek immediate medical help.