Most of us can't stay fit without major effort. It's a constant challenge. We have to watch our diet and we have to be active and work out. Skipping even a few days can mean you have to start the fitness cycle over.
You have to choose the right diet for you out of all of the diets out there. Plus, then you have to motivate yourself to work out regularly. That's sometimes harder even than the workout.
What is fitness, though? If you check with most experts, they'll tell you that the most important type of fitness is cardiovascular fitness. This fitness, also called cardio fitness, is a workout for the heart and lungs.
Cardio fitness helps your heart and lungs be more efficient. When your heart and lungs are more efficient, they are better at delivering blood and oxygen to the tissues in your body. When your cardio fitness improves, you also improve your metabolism and blood circulation.
If you are like most average adults, you need to exercise 45 minutes per day five days a week to maintain cardio fitness, according to fitness experts. Mind you, that is just for maintenance. If you want to lose weight, you'll need to work out more often and for longer periods.
To be healthy, pair cardio workouts with good nutrition. Optimum health comes from a combination of great nutrition and cardiovascular health. Focus on a balanced diet of healthy, natural foods.
Your healthy diet should consist mostly of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. You can have some healthy fat, but keep this to a minimum. You also need to take in protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Follow these tips, and it'll help you stay healthy for life. The time and effort you put into getting and staying healthy will pay you back with a higher quality of life, and perhaps even a longer lifespan.