We live in a world where being skinny is synonymous to fitness. We often hear people say, "he looked so fit, he wasn't fat at all, don't know how he got sick." These just highlight the misconceived notions that people possess about fitness. Not being fat does not mean that you are fit. It could just mean that you have a very high metabolism rate or that you do not eat enough or that you may even be sick. It has nothing to do with fitness. This is the rule of thumb and cannot be emphasised enough.

Fitness in plain words means the ability to carry out day-to-day activities without undue fatigue.  However, with the modern lifestyle, it has taken a broader sense. It now encompasses not just physical fitness but mental well-being as well. Fitness now is a state of being happy with yourself as well as your surroundings.

A recent study by researchers from the U.S. and Europe found that overweight and obese people were at the same risk of developing or dying from heart diseases or cancer, as the normal-weight people. However, weight becomes an issue when it is combined with an abnormality. For example, high weight, when combined with insulin resistance, hypertension or abnormal cholesterol, becomes a risk. It can be inferred that being metabolically fit is the game-changer. This can be done only by exercising on a regular basis.

With PM Modi launching the Fit India Movement, it is time we introspect if we are truly fit or not. Below are five healthy habits to incorporate in your daily life.

Get Seven Hours of Sleep per Night

Research indicates that people who get less than seven hours of sleep every night tend to be unfit, compared to those who maintain 7-8 hours of sleep. However, sleeping more than 9 hours also have problems.

Eat Home-Cooked Meals, Avoid Junk Food

With the advent of food delivery services, home-cooked meals have taken a back seat in most of the Indian households. However, cooking your own food is a healthy habit as it gives you control of what goes in it. Not only will you be in charge of the quality of ingredients, but you can also manage the portion size. For healthy recipes, you can head to our blog. Home-cooked meals should also be preferred as you can incorporate more fruits and vegetables in your regular diet, automatically cutting junk food. Green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits are also known to have multiple benefits. Furthermore, fizzy drinks and diet sodas should completely be shunned from meals as their consumption is often associated with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

Stand More

While sitting down for long periods may seem harmless, even comforting, it has some significant harmful effects on our bodies. So much so, that scientists coined the term sitting disease. It is also associated with type 2 diabetes, heart diseases and certain cancers such as breast and colon. If you have a desk job and no standing desk, then it is advisable to take walking breaks for 7.5 mins every hour. While you are at it, ensure that your posture is straight and that your hips and neck are in the same line. This will not only prevent backaches and discomfort but also allow you to feel more confident and energised at your workplace.

Exercise

Exercising is the most essential habit you need to inculcate in your lifestyle. Experts recommend 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise for five days a week. It will boost your metabolism and will also make you feel happier. Exercising also has numerous health benefits associated with them such as boosting memory, reducing the risk of chronic diseases, enhancing immunity and a lot more.

Do Not Skip Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for several reasons. It triggers your metabolism and stops you from overeating later in the day. Furthermore, research indicates that adults who have a healthy breakfast do better at work. Kids who eat breakfast are also seen to score higher on tests. However, if a big plateful of food is not the first thing for you, keep it light. Provee spreads can be used to make delicious and light snacks. Although, make sure you do not skip your breakfast.

Finally, fitness is not being skinny. It is being healthy physically and mentally and about maintaining a balance.  Inculcating healthier habits and strive to become better in all spheres of life. We at Provee are passionate about fitness and we follow these habits religiously.