The most popular New Year’s resolution is to get in shape. Whether the goal is to drop a few pounds or to run a marathon, it all boils down to improving our overall health. But the methods for achieving that goal can be fuzzy, which is part of the reason so many of those well intentioned but poorly executed resolutions go unfulfilled and we spend another year trying to squeeze into that same too-small swimsuit.
With all the different health food fads, crash diet crazes and new and improved fitness routines, it’s easy to get confused about the best ways to improve our health. The best way to do it is to keep it simple. Stick to the basics, the ones mutually agreed upon by the medical community, and this could be the year you actually realize your resolution. Here are five simple ways you can help yourself and your health in 2016.
- Drink Water: The biggest source of empty calories in many people’s diets comes in liquid form, not the shape of a slice of pizza. Sugary soft drinks and alcoholic beverages may be more flavorful and fun, but there’s nothing better for your body than good ol’ H2O. By cutting out soft drinks and other syrupy liquids and replacing it with water your body will instantly result in weight loss, better hydration, healthy skin and reduced toxins being flushed from your system. Doctors recommend eight glasses per day but any amount is an improvement over carbonated and alcoholic beverages.
- Eat Smart: First it was counting fat grams, then cutting down on carbs, and now everyone seems to be eating tofu and kale. The medical community may be divided over the best foods for your health, but they’re all on the right track. By eating fresh fruits and vegetables instead of processed foods high in carbs, fat and complex sugars, you can see a dramatic improvement in both the way you look and feel. All-natural foods are like fuel for your body that give you more energy and are easy to burn. Portion control is also critical. You don’t have to eat like a rabbit; just don’t eat like a pig.
- Exercise: Unhealthy habits like smoking or overeating can be counterproductive to a healthy lifestyle, but the absolute worst thing you can do for your body is nothing. TVs, cell phones and computers have led to a sedentary lifestyle that has caused Americans to pack on the pounds and turn into softies. Although it might be hard to find time for a full workout, little things like standing instead of sitting, walking instead of driving and getting off the couch to work out 20 minutes a day can have a positive impact on your plans to get and stay healthy.
- Sleep: OK, so we just warned against the dangers of laziness, but sleep is a different story. Researchers are discovering the benefits of getting proper rest on both the body and mind, and the adverse effects of a lack of sleep. Go to bed early or on time to give yourself at least seven hours of shut-eye per night, preferably eight to nine. You will see instant results of more energy, a sharper mental focus and weight loss. Be sure to eat even earlier so you’re not going to bed on a full stomach.
- Vacation: You don’t have to be a doctor to know that taking time away from the daily grind is good for your mental and physical well-being, but studies show a direct correlation between a country’s life span and the amount of time its people are given off from work to rest and recover. Stay with us at Bay View Resort and unwind in the pool, lazy river or hot tubs at our spacious indoor/outdoor pool deck. Relax with a good book on the beach or on your oceanfront balcony overlooking the ocean. Work up a sweat with a workout in our on-site fitness center or go for a nice stroll down the beach.
That’s where Bay View Resort comes in. Showing guests a good time and giving them a comfortable and relaxing environment for a beach vacation is what we’re all about. And now that we know vacations are good for you, it’s one more good excuse for a Myrtle Beach getaway at the Bay View Resort.
