When we imagine what a healthy person looks like, we often think of a guy with rock hard abs or a girl with a gap between her thighs. And while many people would love to look like the models they see on TV, they believe the only way to be healthy is by losing weight. Although weight does play a role on health, it's really fat people should be worrying about.
Many athletes would be considered overweight if we solely looked at the number on the scale. People obsess over their weight and don't take into consideration that muscle weighs more than fat. And while the "weight debate" is incredibly popular in today's media, there is a plethora of other components to health that people are forgetting about.
1. Hydration
Drinking enough fluids and staying hydrated one of the absolute top things to maintain. Too often are people getting sick from dehydration. Replenish your fluids as often as you can, especially if you exercise, if you want to stay healthy. Try opting for water or Gatorade instead of a soda during the day.
2. Sleep
Sleep is often overlooked as people go through there busy lives and they don't make time for a reasonable sleep schedule. But getting less sleep could be a reason you aren't losing weight and can also cause cognitive issues. In college, sleeping can be inconvenient, so try to get as much as possible whenever you can.
3. Exercise
Physical activity is crucial to a healthy life. Even a brisk walk could help strengthen your cardiovascular system. Get up and walk your dog or play a game of catch every once in a while. Find a workout buddy to keep you accountable.
4. Nutrition
This is the big DUH. What you get in is what you put out. If you're eating donuts and cheeseburgers every other day of the week, you're obviously not going to perform your best. But, if you always restrict yourself to only certain foods your deem healthy, your body will crave the junk and you'll eventually break your cycle of healthy eating. How much you eat is just as important as what. It's unnecessary to eat eight full meals a day, but it's also super unhealthy to only eat one. Make sure you balance your intake to make sure you can sustain yourself. Balance your meals! Make sure to incorporate things you like so you're more likely to stay on track.
Don't focus on the scale. Sure, weigh yourself every other week to make sure you are at a normal weight but don't obsess over it. Measure your health in the hours of sleep you get, the number of calories you burn versus the calories you take in, and how much water you're drinking.
