Benefits Of Diet And Exercise: Where You Begin

Diet & Exercise
• A good diet along with exercise improves one’s quality of life, builds self-esteem, and is a constant motivator.

Diet--what does it mean to diet?
• To eat and drink according to a regulated system, especially so as to lose weight or control a medical condition.

Diet & Nutrition--without a proper diet and nutrition, your body can’t:
• Grow
• Function properly
• You become more susceptible to chronic illnesses or diseases
• Premature death

Dietary Guidelines:
• Eat a variety of foods
• Balance the food you eat with physical activity
• Choose a diet with plenty of grain products, vegetables, and fruits
• Choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol
• Choose a diet moderate in sugars
• Choose a diet moderate in salt and sodium
• If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.

1st Rule for good Rule for good NUTRITION
EAT a variety of foods!!!
• No one of the major food group is more important than another.
• Use the Food Guide Pyramid ~ go easy on fats, oils, and sweets. They contain a lot of calories, but little Nutrition.

Food Pyramid Nutritional Information Ingredients

Why maintain a healthy diet?
• Reduces your risk of certain cancers
• Decreases incidence of heart disease
• Prevents diabetes

Little steps to begin your diet!
• Scale back on the things you already eat
• Eat what you like but try reduced-calorie, low or no-fat products. Eg. Diet coke instead of regular coke
• Snack – helps control hunger and allows you to reduce the size of your meal.
• Low fat yogurt
• Kashi chewy granola bars
• Quaker oatmeal express
• Gum
• Frozen juice bars
• Fresh fruits and raw vegetables
• Eat at set times!

Exercise
• What is exercise?--activity that requires physical or mental exertion, especially when performed to develop or maintain fitness.
Ideal Weight Exercise
• Walking and running – 20-30 minutes
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator
• Skip the shortcuts
• Go out and dance –
• Soca Night / Hip Hop Night!
• Be consistent – exercise at roughly the same time each day.
• Set your routine and stick to it!!!!

Benefits/Results
• Consistency is key!
• Feel better – the pleasure of being in good health sometimes outweighs the satisfaction of shedding extra pounds.
• Energy levels increase
• Boost self-esteem – feel more confident by being in shape

Conclusion--REMEMBER – diet and exercise reduces the likelihood of developing:
• Heart Disease
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Breast Cancer
• Colon Cancer
• Osteoporosis
• Depression
• Fitness/good health is a journey, not a destination!

Marissa Rey