How much is “too much of a good thing?” It’s unfair to say that you should go completely cold turkey off the finer things in life. So take a breather and live a little! Here’s a top ten list of the things that we love, that we can’t live without – only we focus our love in moderation. You should too. Whoever said a girl can’t have everything! And life in moderation, can lead to a healthy mind, a healthier heart and definitely a banging body – a body begging to be draped in a new eye-catching swimsuit this season.
1. Sun Exposure – I know it’s winter and some of us wish we could get our tan on, but too much sun exposure can make us prone to more cancers. The secret to having ageless skin? Smothering on that SPF30, rain or shine. And keep on smothering throughout the day, especially when you are wearing that bikini in the French Riviera.
2. Exercise – Sure, gym rats have beach-ready bodies and are less prone to diseases, but how much gym time is too much? Too much exercise lowers the immune system and causes injury. Aim for 30 minutes per day for healthy aging. And don’t be afraid every now and then to push harder or to go longer. On the flip side, take some time every now and then. Our bodies need the rest. So listen to yours! You won’t impress anyone in your swimsuit if you are limping from the chaise lounge to the shallow end.
3. Fish – Wanna tone up for bikini season? Load some protein in your system. Fish contains those omega-3 fatty acids, increasing your immunity and lowering your risk of diabetes and stroke. Recommendation is 2-3 three servings a week. And shoot for 4-6 ounces per serving.
4. Sodium – Bloated and wanting to flatten your tummy? A quick fix is consuming less sodium to about 2,300 mg a day. Your heart works in overload when it has too much sodium. After a few weeks, you will be shocked to come to find how food really tastes.
5. Caffeine – Your morning cup of brew can definitely give you a boast. And some studies say it can help fend off various ubiquitous diseases. With that said, drink in moderation. Coming down from the “coffee” buzz can make you yearn for it even more leading to a vicious cycle of jitters.
6. Sugar – Read the label. Skip that sugar high if it comprises more than 50% of the cards in what you are eating. Sugar by itself has nutritional value, but processed foods make you more prone to diabetes and obesity. No thanks!
7. Cell Phones – Crackberries vs. IPhones are all the rage, but could your non-stop cell-phone usage cause brain tumors? Solution: Use an earpiece or phone speaker to decrease wave exposure. And never, ever, use your phone while driving without an earpiece. Doing so is an accident waiting to happen. And don’t get me started about phones and beaches. One sandy accident and you’ll bring more attention to the 30 mins you take trying to save your phone than from that great new swimsuit you picked up the week before.
8. Alcohol – Guilty about the empty calories you drank last night? Switch to a glass of red wine. With powerful antioxidants, one glass won’t hurt your waistline! And you get to test out that “French Paradox” theory of living. All they do is drink wine and smoke, and as a nation have less of an issue with obesity and heart disease.
9. TV – We love our guilty TV pleasures like Jersey Shore & Glee as much as the next person, but does too much TV make us anti-social? Research shows we interact 40% less with a TV on in the room. Turn off the TV during meals and keep it out of the bedroom for some socializing instead.
10. Internet – You’re at work with your eyes glued to the computer the whole day. Give your eyes a beauty rest by limiting your home computer time to less than three hours daily.
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