WHY OVERALL HEALTH IS SO IMPORTANT


Being physically healthy means that your body is able to function like it’s supposed to, with no pain or discomfort.  Being in good health is very important and is necessary to effectively do your day to day activities.  Physical health starts with a good diet, an exercise routine as well as generally taking good care of your well being.

Good health is something that we have to develop and maintain.  However, practicing good health is not a process based on one thing.  There are other components when it comes to health; they include emotional health, mental health and spiritual health.

Regular exercise is one of the key components of practicing good health.  Many people dread exercising because they think that it’s too much work.  However, physical activity can be fun and rewarding if you choose something that you have a passion for.  Eating healthy can be challenging for anyone.  You can create a healthy eating plan that meets your nutritional requirements by doing research on what your body really needs.

With June being Men’s Health Month, it’s important for men to stop taking the backseat when it comes to their health and well being. This month is dedicated to educating people on what can be done to improve health in boys & men. It is very important for men to understand the risk factors of their overall health.  Many health conditions can be prevented or treated if found early.  Men also delay seeing a doctor for symptoms of any health problems and put off routine check-ups.

The most common health problems which affect men are:  prostate cancer, testicular cancer, colon cancer, high blood pressure and heart disease.

 Gert Coetzee, Pharmacist and Diet pioneer who founded The Diet Everyone Talks About advises everyone to start becoming proactive when it comes to their health and well-being. 

Below are some health hints & tips that you can follow:

Eat less carbs:  A low carb diet is generally used for losing weight because it restricts on the amounts of carbohydrates you can eat.  This type of diet offers other health benefits besides losing weight like reducing the risk factors that are associated with metabolic syndrome and diabetes.  A low-carb diet focuses on protein such as eggs, fish and low-starch vegetables which are all good for your body.

Cut down on sugar:  You should be cutting down on sugar if you want to lose weight.  It is very important to make sure that you read food labels when you do grocery shopping.  Sugar is the single worst ingredient you could have in your diet and a lot of people are eating too much of it.

Exercise more:  Exercising is an excellent way to burn more calories than you consume.  Cardio exercise is a great way to burn calories as well as improve your mental and physical health.  Being physically active also helps decrease health problems and stress.

Limit your alcohol consumption:  Alcohol can have very negative effects on weight loss if it’s not consumed in moderation.  Excessive alcohol can also lead to long-term health problems, which include cancer and heart disease.

Eat more vegetables:  Vegetables help keep you full for longer because of the water and fiber that they contain.  The fiber in vegetables helps you regulate your blood sugar levels.  Replacing processed carbs and junk food with vegetables is a great idea if you would like to lose weight.

Eat more protein:  A diet that is high in protein is ideal for losing weight.  Protein makes the body produce less insulin which helps the body burn more fat.  A high protein intake reduces appetite and boosts your metabolism. 

Drink lots of green tea:  Green tea is a healthy beverage which is loaded with antioxidants that are beneficial for your health.  Drinking green tea increases the fat burning in your body which helps you lose weight.

Consider healthy snacks:  When it comes to snacks, make sure you avoid the sweets and chocolates.  Consider a healthy snack basket with mixed nuts, biltong, vegetable sticks and some Greek yoghurt dip instead of being tempted with sweets and chocolates.

Drink a lot of water:  Regular water consumption has many health benefits plus it has no fat, carbohydrates, sugar or calories.  The amount of water you drink everyday plays a very important role in maintaining a healthy body and mind. 

Portion size:  Portion control helps you become aware of what you’re putting into your body which is good when you want to lose weight.  If you don’t have the will power and feel that you want to finish everything on your plate, it’s better to use a smaller side/salad plate instead of a dinner plate to dish up.