Optimal Health

Optimal healthis personal. ... Forexample,optimal healthfor a college track athlete is going to look very different than it is for a 60-something woman with diabetes and high blood pressure. That said, two things are universal: Optimal healthis about being ashealthyas only you can be.

Many things people put in their bodies are downright toxic.
Some, such as cigarettes, alcohol and abusive drugs, are also highly addictive, making it hard for people to give them up or avoid them.

If you have a problem with one of these substances, then diet and exercise are the least of your worries.

While alcohol is fine in moderation for those who can tolerate it, tobacco and abusive drugs are bad for everyone.

But an even more common problem today is eating unhealthy, disease-promotingjunk foods.
If you want to gain optimal health, you need to minimize your consumption of these foods.
Probably the single most effective change you can make to improve your diet is to cut back on processed, packaged foods.

This can be tough because many of these foods are designed to be extremely tasty and very hard to resist.

When it comes to specific ingredients,added sugarsare among the worst. These include sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup.

Both can wreak havoc on your metabolism when consumed in excess, though some people can tolerate moderate amounts.

In addition, it’s a good idea to avoid all trans fats, which are found in some types of margarine and packaged baked foods.

Using your muscles is extremely important for optimal health.
While lifting weights and exercising can certainly help you look better, improving your appearance is really just the tip of the iceberg.

You also need to exercise to ensure your body, brain and hormones function optimally.
Lifting weights lowers your blood sugar and insulin levels, improves cholesterol and lowers triglycerides.

It also raises your levels of testosterone and growth hormones, both associated with improved well-being.

What’s more, exercise can help reduce depression and your risk of various chronic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's and many more (5).

Additionally, exercise may help you lose fat, especially in combination with a healthy diet. It doesn’t just burn calories, but also improves your hormone levels and overall body function.

Fortunately, there are many ways toexercise. You don’t need to go to a gym or own expensive workout equipment.

It’s possible to exercise for free and in the comfort of your own home. Just do a search on Google or YouTube for "bodyweight workouts” or “calisthenics,” for example.

Going outside to hike or take a walk is another important thing you should do, especially if you can get some sun while you're at it (for a natural source of vitamin D). Walking is a good choice and a highly underrated form of exercise.

The key is to choose something that you enjoy and can stick with in the long run.
If you're completely out of shape or have medical problems, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or a qualified health professional before starting a new training program.

And besides everything the most important is taking good sleep and proper diet.

-Akanksha Khandelwal