HEALTHY BODY

Be consistent

When it comes to exercise, consistency is more important than intensity. People often go all-out the first couple of days, only to lose motivation and fall off the wagon. Thirty minutes of exercise every day is going to pay off more than going crazy the first day and not being able to move the rest of the week.

“Exercise is important for all people of all ages,” says Mike Brashear, a local personal trainer who also owns multiple Anytime Fitness gyms throughout Lake and Sumter counties. “Consistent exercise keeps us not only physically but mentally feeling good about ourselves. When we feel good about our appearance, we’re more productive, which leads to greater success.”

Stay hydrated

Two-thirds of our body is made up of water, but we often don’t drink enough of it. Water is necessary for every metabolic reaction that occurs in the body, including metabolism. You can’t fight fat without water!

Staying hydrated also keeps your skin moist and supple and helps you stay focused and energetic. Make water your beverage of choice to keep sugar and unnecessary calories out of your diet.

Eat whole foods

There are so many different diets and nutrition methodologies that it is hard to know what to follow, but most agree that cutting out processed foods is the healthiest option. Instead, eat whole foods. They will make your skin and hair look healthier, and your energy level will soar.

Whole foods include lean meats, fish, poultry, non-starchy vegetables, fruit, seeds, and nuts.

“If it spoils, rots, molds, or goes bad, it is likely a whole food,” says Lori Esarey, a certified nurse practitioner who specializes in nutritional and metabolic medicine and the founder of Total Nutrition and Therapeutics in The Villages. “Avoid packaged and processed foods.”

Slather on the sunscreen

For decades, a deep tan was synonymous with healthy skin, but now we know the price we pay is premature aging. Prevent early aging by wearing sunscreen daily.

“The most important thing I try to teach people about sun protection is there is no ‘healthy tan,’” says Ruth Ann Byrd, a licensed aesthetician with Aesthetic Skin Solutions of The Villages. “A tan is a sign of sun-damaged skin, and when the skin sustains enough sun damage over a long period, the skin cells become permanently damaged.”

To fight early aging and skin cancer, the American Academy of Dermatology suggests slathering on sweat-proof, waterproof sunblock of 30 SPF or higher. Also, Byrd recommends wearing a sunscreen that is “broad spectrum,” meaning it blocks both UVB rays (the burning rays) and UVA rays (the aging rays).

Catch some Zzzs

Precious sleep! Although everybody knows you will feel better after a good night’s rest, most people don’t get the amount of sleep recommended for optimal health. Sleep has many benefits, besides avoiding dark circles under the eyes. Sleep helps to keep body weight down, improve athletic performance, lower stress, prevent accidents, and reduce inflammation.