Taking care of your health is critical to living a long, healthy life. And we all want that!

A healthy lifestyle is a way of living your life that helps you feel good physically, mentally and emotionally.

Here are a few tips to help you get started on a healthy lifestyle:

Maintain a healthy weight.

Being in a healthy weight range helps protect you from issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, joint issues, diabetes and high cholesterol. A healthy weight range includes several factors including your body mass index (BM) and your waist circumference. Factors such as your age, ethnicity, health history and body composition also determine a healthy weight range. Keep in mind that a ‘healthy weight’ isn’t just a number on the scale. Everyone’s body is different – your doctor and you can work together to determine a healthy weight for you.

Get moving!

Physical activity is important for body. Even 15 minutes of movement a day can help improve your health. Exercise can lower your blood pressure, strengthen bones and improve cardiovascular function. Find an activity that you enjoy, such as walking, biking, Zumba, yoga, or swimming. Then bring a friend to move with you – studies show that people stay committed to an exercise routine when doing with a companion.

Schedule your health appointments.

You should see your primary care physician annually for a wellness visit, even if you feel healthy. This helps your doctor stay aware of changes to your health, medications, and more. During your exam, your doctor will work with you to determine necessary preventive screenings, vaccinations or other tests and labs that may be helpful in keeping you healthy. Preventive screenings help catch changes to your health before anything serious has developed, or in early stages. Cancer screenings, annual eye exams, bone density testing and other preventive health measures are often determined by your age, health history, gender and other factors. Your doctor can help determine what tests and appointments would be beneficial to you.

Add more fruits and vegetables to your plate.

Focus on adding fruits and vegetables to your meals. These foods are rich sources of natural fiber, vitamins, minerals and other compounds that help your body function. As a bonus is they’re low in calories and fat. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends filling your plate halfway with fruits and vegetables at every meal. Think about eating ‘a rainbow’ by selecting fruits and veggies in different colors – different varieties provide different vitamins, minerals and other benefits. If you don’t typically eat fruits and vegetables, you can start by choosing a new item each time you grocery shop.

Commit to it.

One way to stay committed to a healthy lifestyle is to schedule exercise and meal planning into your calendar. Block off time and set reminders. Scheduling time for yourself is a good reminder that you’re committing to you!

Get support.

Need help creating a healthy lifestyle? Want to lose weight but struggle doing it on your own? Old habits can be difficult to break, especially on your own. Your primary care doctor can be a great support in helping to improve your health.

Our EIM Choice Care concierge medicine practice provides custom 1:1 care, including an effective approach to weight loss and preventive care. Contact us to schedule your appointment or click here to learn more about our concierge medicine memberships. We also offer complimentary, no-obligation meet and greet appointments with our doctor to see if our concierge medicine practice is a good fit for you.