Obesity is one of the most pressing public health issues in the United States today. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third of American adults are obese, and the numbers are only getting worse. The economic toll of obesity is also enormous, costing our country billions of dollars annually.
Many factors contribute to obesity, including poor diet, lack of exercise, and genetics. Thankfully, more and more of the generation today are taking up a more active and athletic lifestyle.
Many millennials are going to the gym more than ever and are conscious about their diet. If you want to join this trend and live a more athletic lifestyle, here are five ways to prepare for it:
Start Meal Prepping
The art of meal prepping is about making healthy food in advance so that you have it on hand when needed. This is especially helpful if you have a busy schedule or find yourself snacking more often than you’d like.
Plenty of resources and cookbooks are available to help you get started with meal prepping. But if you want to find something specific and something you can prepare in less than thirty minutes, consider these options:
- Quinoa and black bean bowls
- Chicken and veggie stir-fries
- Salmon with roasted Brussels sprouts
- Any Salad
These are some great meal preps that you can do fast and are also healthy!
Choose a Diet
If you want to accommodate losing weight, you’ll have to choose a diet that can help you do so in a healthy way. Here are some great diets and their descriptions:
Keto
If you enjoy fats and proteins, the keto diet is perfect for you! This low-carbohydrate diet creates a state of ketosis for your body, where it burns fat for fuel instead of carbs. It’s one of the best and most satisfying ways to lose weight.
Intermittent Fasting
One of the most popular diets today, intermittent fasting is all about when you eat, not what you eat. This means that you cycle through periods of fasting and eating. There are many different ways to do intermittent fasting, but the most common is the 16/8 method, where you fast for 16 hours and eat for 8.
Paleo
The paleo diet is based on the premise that our bodies are not designed to process the foods that have become common in the Western diet (think grains, legumes, and dairy). So instead, we should eat like our hunter-gatherer ancestors did – plenty of protein and vegetables and limited processed foods.
Whole30
The Whole30 program is a thirty-day reset button for your health. It eliminates sugar, alcohol, grains, legumes, and dairy from your diet and allows you to reintroduce these food groups after the thirty days are up.
Diets are fantastic for an athletic life because you can get the necessary fuel on the go. But don’t forget about your protein bars if you’re planning to spend a lot of time doing sports and if you’re also going to the gym.
Prepare Your Teeth
An athletic life is one of the main reasons some people lose their teeth. Unfortunately, a decent amount of people lose their teeth while playing sports. Sadly, this can also be unavoidable. Thankfully, your teeth are replaceable.
There are many options for replacing a tooth you may have lost. But the most attractive and effective solution is tooth implants. These implants are placed in the jawbone and act as a support for artificial teeth. They’re also quite strong, so you don’t have to worry about them breaking.
Additionally, wearing a mouthguard is the best way to avoid losing teeth while living an athletic lifestyle. You can find these at any sporting goods store.
Wear the Proper Clothing
To live an athletic life, you need to wear the proper clothing. Wearing the right clothes will not only make you more comfortable but also improve your performance.
For example, if you’re going to run, you should wear shoes designed for running. These shoes will provide support and cushioning to help prevent injuries. Additionally, they’ll help you run more efficiently.
The same goes for any other type of exercise. Make sure you have the proper clothing and equipment before getting started.
Find a Workout Partner
Having a workout partner can make a living an athletic lifestyle much easier. A workout partner can hold you accountable, motivate, and push you to be your best.
Not only that but working out with someone can also make it more enjoyable. You can chat and have fun while you’re getting in shape.
An athletic lifestyle can change your life for the better. It can improve your health, help you lose weight, and make you happier. If you’re thinking about making the switch, use these tips.
