Living a healthy lifestyle generally means eating a balanced diet, participating in a moderate exercise program, limiting alcohol consumption, not smoking and maintaining a normal weight. It may sound daunting to most people who are limited by job and family commitments, time constraints or simply lack of initiative. Making sure your body is in good health does not mean you must be a slave to food and exercise. Small changes in lifestyle can have a big impact.

Choose a sensible diet that has a proven track record by going on one of the top 10 diets. Trying the latest fad diet only to find it doesn’t work and moving to another plan will end up having you putting weight on rather than losing any. By choosing a low diet plan that is proven to work you will find it easier to stick to because it works.

Exercise doesn’t have to be a scary word. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, start slow and increase your activity level as you reach small goals you set for yourself. That could be something as taking the stairs rather than taking the elevator. Over time, you might decide to take a walk as part of your lunch hour. Eventually you will probably want to join a fitness center to increase your progress. Go at a pace you are comfortable with and enjoy.

If you are still a smoker you need to get on a cessation program. There are medications in patch, pill and gum form that can assist you in stopping. Talking to a counselor or adopting a quit-smoking buddy has been shown to help smokers quit smoking at higher rate than trying to go it alone. Side effects of smoking include rapid heartbeat, decreased circulation, and shortness of breath and more serious chronic diseases such as cancer, emphysema and heart disease can eventually develop.

Drinking some types of alcohol in moderation such as red wine has actually been shown to benefit the heart. However, consuming more than a glass or two a day can cause liver damage. The liver acts as a giant filter system of the body. When the filter gets clogged, your body will not function properly. Jaundice, gallstones, blood clotting difficulties, organ failure and death can result when the liver is compromised.

Maintain a healthy weight for your body type by watching your diet and incorporating health fitness into your lifestyle. You can calculate your body mass index (BMI) by dividing your body weight by the square of your height, or a much simpler method is to use one of the many BMI calculators available online.

You’ve stopped thinking about your body and what you put into it. You’re listless and you lack energy. Serious health issues may run in your family. Overwhelmed by what lies ahead? You can adopt a health fitness lifestyle by adding healthier food to your menu, integrating daily exercise into your routine, stopping smoking and drink a glass of red wine with a meal. To maintain a normal weight, you must increase your level of activity and eat a balanced diet. Set your goals and remind yourself that small changes add up to big results over time.