Improve Your Lifestyle

By Shereen Jegtvig, About.com Guide

Updated May 19, 2013

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

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Follow these steps to transform your unhealthy lifestyle into a healthy lifestyle:

Quit smoking.
If you can't do it alone, get help. About.com Smoking Cessation Guide has several resources to help you.
Maintain a healthy weight.
For many people, this means losing weight. It isn't easy to lose the extra pounds, especially as you age, but start by determining your Body Mass Index (BMI). If your BMI is over 25, then you need to lose weight.
Get more exercise.
It doesn't take any expensive equipment to get your body moving, just high quality shoes and comfortable clothes. If you are out of shape, check with your doctor first, and then start a walking program, running or weight-lifting program.
Eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables everyday.
Fruits, vegetables and 100-percent whole grain breads and cereals are an important part of good nutrition because they are all good sources of nutrients and fiber.
Eat sensibly.
A piece of apple pie isn't a healthy serving of fruit, and French fries don't count as a healthy vegetable. Eat lots of whole fruits and fresh vegetables along with lean meats, fish, low fat dairy products, nuts, seeds and legumes. Keep portion sizes small and stay away from fast food, sugary snacks and junk foods.
Do your diet and lifestyle habits need a little upgrade? I've got help: A Healthy New You

_Source:

_{Reeves MJ, Rafferty AP. "Healthy lifestyle characteristics among adults in the United States, 2000." Arch Intern Med. 2005 Apr 25;165(8):854-7.}

Readers Respond: Tips for Eating More Vegetables