The phrase 'healthy lifestyle' is an abbreviated definition of how you should live if you want to live a vibrant, active life with a healthy body and healthy mind. Creating a healthy lifestyle doesn't have to mean drastic changes. Making gradual small changes to your diet and activity habit can have a big impact.

What Is a Healthy Lifestyle?

You know the obvious behaviors that describe someone who is healthy and takes care of themselves. A healthy person doesn't smoke, tries to maintain a healthy weight, eats healthy foods with plenty of fruits, vegetables and fiber and, of course, exercises on a regular basis.

Then there are other elements to add to the list. A healthy person also knows how to manage stress, gets good quality sleep each night, doesn't drink too much, doesn't sit too much—basically, does everything in moderation all the time. When you look at everything that could possibly go into a healthy lifestyle, you can see just how hard all of those things are in our current world.

The good news is, you don't have to change everything at the same time. In fact, the trick to healthy living is making small changes—taking more steps each day,1 adding fruit to your cereal, having an extra glass of water, or saying no to that second helping of buttery mashed potatoes. One thing you can do right now to make your lifestyle healthier is to move more.

Benefits of Physical Activity

You know you need to exercise, but there are many excuses not to do it. You're too busy, don't know where to start, you're not motivated or you're afraid you'll injure yourself. Maybe you think exercise has to be really hard or it isn't good enough.

It's great if you can spend time exercising—meaning you're sweating, working in your target heart rate zone, or doing something to strengthen your body. But it doesn't always have to be that way. Moderate activities like chores, gardening and walking can make a difference.2

Whatever definition you have about what exercise is or isn't, the bottom line is that exercise is movement. Whether it's walking around the block or running a marathon, that movement is exercise and every time you move more than you normally do, it counts.

Healthy Weight Loss or Maintenance

Even if you opt for small changes, the benefits are still pretty amazing. For example, increasing your activity level can help you to reach and maintain a healthy weight. If you are currently overweight, small steps toward that goal can have an impact.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that if you are overweight, reduction of 5 to 10% of your total body weight can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.

In fact, you don't even have to have a goal to lose weight, especially if you have trouble sticking to a program. Why not focus on being healthy to start and worry about the weight loss once you've got some healthy habits under your belt?

Other Benefits

The great thing about moving is that just a few minutes a day can have other lasting benefits, many of which you may not even be aware of. Just some of the benefits include:2

• Enhances self-esteem
• Helps maintain flexibility as you age
• Improves joint stability
• Improves memory in elderly people
• Improves mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
• Increases and improves range of motion
• Maintains bone mass
• Prevents osteoporosis and fractures
• Reduces stress
• Reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes

How to Increase Physical Activity

You can start the process of being healthy and now by adding a little more activity to your life. If you're not ready for a structured program, start small. Every little bit counts and it all adds up to burning more calories.3

Reduce Screen Time

Schedule time when you turn off the TV and computer. Once a week, turn off all screens and do something a little more physical with your family. Play games, take a walk, do almost anything that will be more active than sitting on the couch.

Increase Daily Steps

Look for small ways to walk more. When you get the mail, take a walk around the block, take the dog for an extra outing each day, or walk on your treadmill for five minutes before getting ready for work. When you're on the phone, pace around or even do some cleaning while gabbing. This is a great way to stay moving while doing something you enjoy.

Do Some Chores

Get housework done and increase daily movement at the same time. Shoveling snow, working in the garden, raking leaves, sweeping the floor—these kinds of activities may not be vigorous exercise, but they can keep you moving while getting your house in order.

Increase Awareness

Make a list of all the physical activities you do on a typical day. If you find that the bulk of your time is spent sitting, make another list of all the ways you could move more—getting up each hour to stretch or walk, walk the stairs at work, etc.

How to Maintain a Healthy Diet

Eating a healthy diet is another part of a healthy lifestyle. Not only can a nutritious diet help with weight management, but it can also improve your health and quality of life as you get older.4

You already know about the food groups and the fact that it is recommended that you eat more fruits and vegetables and fewer processed foods. You probably have a list of things you know you should do for a healthier diet but, again, making too many changes at once can backfire. Going on a restrictive diet may make you crave the very foods you're trying to avoid.​

Another approach is to look for ways to make smaller changes each day.4 Just a few ideas for changing how you eat include:

• Cut back on sugary beverages. It's easy to consume excess sugar and calories in the beverages that you drink. Sugary sodas, sweetened teas, juice drinks, and high-calorie coffee drinks can easily eat up your daily recommended allowance of added sugars. Consider drinking plain water or water flavored with fresh fruit or herbs. It's a great way to stay hydrated and still get a burst of flavor.
• Eat low-fat or fat-free dairy. Switching to skim milk or fat-free yogurt is another simple way to eat fewer calories without having to change too much in your diet.
• Eat more fruit. Add it to your cereal, salads, dinners, or make it a dessert. The fruit is also a great snack after work or school to keep you going for dinner.
• Make some substitutions. Look through your cabinets or fridge and pick three foods you eat every day. Write down the nutritional content and, the next time you're at the grocery store, find lower-calorie substitutes for just those three items.
• Sneak in more veggies. Add them wherever you can—a tomato on your sandwich, peppers on your pizza, or extra veggies in your pasta sauce. Keep pre-cut, canned, or frozen veggies ready for quick snacks.