South Beach Fitness is supporting the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition in honor of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. During the month of May, we challenge all adults to get active every day!
Did you know that regular physical activity increases your chances of living a longer, healthier life? It also reduces your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and some types of cancer. Yet in Florida nearly half of the population does not get the recommended amount of physical activity.
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults:
- Aim for at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. This includes things like walking fast, dancing, swimming, and raking leaves.
- Do muscle-strengthening activities – like lifting weights or using exercise bands – at least 2 days a week.
- Physical activity good is for everyone’s health. No matter what shape you are in, you can find activities that work for you. Together, we can rise to the challenge and get more active during the month of May!
- Need inspiration? Try one of our classes or a few personal training sessions! We have some great Summer Specials happening now!
The Basics: Overview
Eating healthy means following a healthy eating pattern that includes a variety of nutritious foods and drinks. It also means getting the number of calories that’s right for you (not eating too much or too little).
Use your calories to eat a variety of healthy foods.
To eat healthy, be sure to choose:
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Whole grains
- Fat-free or low-fat dairy products
- A variety of foods with protein, including seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, beans, peas, nuts, seeds, and soy products
Limit certain nutrients and ingredients.
Sodium (salt)
Sodium is found in table salt – but most of the sodium we eat comes from packaged food or food that’s prepared in restaurants.
Added sugars
Added sugars include syrups and sweeteners that manufacturers add to products like sodas, yogurt, and cereals – as well as things you add, like sugar in your coffee.
Saturated fats
Saturated fats come from animal products like cheese, fatty meats and poultry, whole milk, butter, and many sweets and snack foods. Some plant products like palm and coconut oils also have saturated fats.
Refined grains and starches
Refined grains and starches are in foods like cookies, white bread, and some snack foods.
There are many great apps that can help you track your food. Our favorites are My Fitness Pal and Lose It!