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As we age we realize “We would have taken better care of ourselves had we known we would live this long”. Funny but true. After years of attending to everyone else’s needs it is time to once again take care of ourselves. Healthy eating and regular physical activity are keys that help lower your risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer as well as keeping your mind sharp and giving you a clear mental outlook for yourself. With support of family and friends we have found through moderate changes in our eating habits and physical activity we can get our lives back on track.

With willpower and determination we have started to change our life. Daily walks and watching what we eat are having beneficial effects. At our last check up our blood pressure was lower and the cholesterol numbers have improved. The doctor felt that we are in better condition all around.

We understand that as we get older the chances of a heart attacks or strokes increases and the advantages of being active and eating well will relieve stress and depression as well as reduce the risks of chronic health problems. If we do what we can to reduce the risks to our health it can improve our life, give us more energy to do the things we want to do and have fewer aches and pains as well as feel better.

Following the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans we are eating a healthier diet of more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy products. We have added more fish and seafood to our diet and are trying to consume less sodium, saturated and trans fats. We cut back on desserts to lower our intake of refined grains and added sugars found in cakes, cookies, ice cream and the like. Cutting back on junk foods like pizza, hotdogs and fast food helps keep us healthier.

It becomes easier to eat healthier if you make one-half your plate fruits and vegetables, eat beans as a natural source of fiber and protein. We have learned to limit our meat and poultry to small lean portions. We take the time to read labels to cut down on sodium and sugar intake. When we eat out we look for healthier choices and smaller portions.

It is important when starting out that you balance your calorie intake with physical activity. You should consult your health care provider before making changes to your regular routine. Don’t overdo it, start slow and make things fun, it’s easier to stick to the changes you make.

We have found that with this new revitalizing chapter of our life the encouragement of people around us helps in many ways. We have less stress, more energy a clearer thought process and in general we feel more confident. We sleep better wake up more refreshed and ready to face whatever the day has to offer.

We realize that it is hard to break with years of inactivity and poor eating habits. It is a continual effort for us. We all have things we like and are used to but it is our hope that you can find some inspiration in this, our effort to improve our lives. We are sure that if you can find a way to incorporate some of these things into your lives you will benefit as we have.

Everyone wants to live a long and healthy life but without us knowing it, we expose ourselves every day to health hazards due to wrong habits and practices that we take for granted and don’t pay much attention to. It is important for us to check these habits regularly and determine which ones need to be eliminated in our everyday lives. One of the best things to do when we eliminate them from our system is to find an alternative habit that would contribute to better overall health. Here are some of the practices that people do every day which can be hazardous to their health:

Using chemical-based deodorants particularly deodorant with aluminum

Most of the commercial deodorants sold in the market contain aluminum. Aluminum is a substance that can lead to various health concerns which range from simple to serious ones. It can cause cancer and can trigger a host of many other health problems when regularly used. It may not have any effect in the beginning but over time, the person using it frequently can be at a risk of developing serous physical ailments. The alternative to this is to use a deodorant without aluminum – these are those which are made of natural ingredients instead of the harmful substance called aluminum.

Wearing make-up and not removing them even when sleeping

Make-up must be removed during bedtime because make-up is made of chemical substances and the longer it stays in the face, the greater is the risk of skin-damage. This can lead to acne breakouts. Furthermore, the chemicals can get readily absorbed deep within the skin and can affect the function of the organs when this happens frequently. The alternative to this is to establish the habit of washing the face and completely cleaning and removing make-up before bedtime.

Eating more junk foods and instant foods

People nowadays prefer to buy instant foods and those that can be bought in food chains because buying them is convenient compared to cooking a healthy meal; however, when this is done frequently the person can suffer from a host of health complications such as cholesterol build-up, diabetes, kidney problem, high-blood among others. The fatty oil found in burgers and French fries for example contribute to health risks. The alternative is to eat more of foods in their natural form such as fresh fruits and vegetables and to minimize the intake of instant foods and junk foods.

The use of white sugar

White sugar has already been stripped off of essential and natural nutrients and has been replaced with chemicals. It can disrupt the normal functions of the organs of the body and can lead to many health problems. This should be replaced with brown sugar or other alternatives.

Drinking soft drinks

Soft drinks and cola are considered as unhealthy drinks. They are most often easily available as thirst-quenchers so people just grab them in shops and stores but drinking these drinks shouldn’t be done regularly and must be followed by drinking a lot of pure water. These drinks have strong substances which are acidic and aren’t really ideal for the body. Drinking these should be replaced by drinking more fresh fruit juices and water.

These habits are pretty common but many people don’t pay much attention to them because the effects aren’t really instant but are rather gradual. If people don’t fix these habits, they most often lead to health problems which could have been avoided if these habits were fixed or changed. There is always an alternative to a bad habit. Again, the use of deodorant with aluminum can be replaced with a deodorant without aluminum which is safe, natural and is not associated with any side effects.