Please check out the latest segment of “Living Smarter with Councilmember Aaron Watson” that features our local farmers markets.
http://www.vimeo.com/26270966. It is currently airing throughout the day on ATL26, the city’s government access station through the end of July.

Change can be hard, but usually always worth it.  Studies show that a healthier life means a  longer life.  I’m pretty sure we can all agree, we’d enjoy that.  Of course there’s a catch.  One can’t just snap his fingers and be healthy.  Like everything, it takes hard work and time.

The first step is changing one’s diet.  Now this doesn’t mean nibble on lettuce day and night, but to make decisions that will benefit your body.  Vegetable and fruit are amazing natural sources of the vitamins we need to survive.  You don’t have to limit yourself to them, though.  Just make sure your intake of them is sufficient.  The protein found in meat is still needed, and eating it on a smaller scale is good for you.  But if you are a vegetarian, beans and fish also provide the protein needed.  Healthy foods have been added to the menu, but now it’s time to subtract the junk.  A snack or dessert is okay occasionally, but when eaten excessively, you are only causing damage.  Limit and control yourself.

 

When your body has enough nutrients and sugars to operate, the leftovers are stored away in pockets of fat.  The more that’s added, the larger they become.  This is why eating habits aren’t the only areas in your life needing change.  That’s right, movement is essential.  In other words GET UP! It’s easy to forget to exercise from being tired from work, watching your favorite program all day (while snacking of course!), or just being too tired and going straight to sleep.  People need at least half an hour of physical challenge per day.  This is bound to keep your body in shape.

 

These minor changes have major results, and are the stepping stones to a healthier lifestyle.  For more information visit http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/HealthyLivingIndex/HealthyLivingIndex.

 

 

By Cassia Preston