Can you exercise on a regular basis and not be healthy? Can you fill your body with healthy foods and still not be healthy? The answer to both questions is, yes! If you are exercising and still fueling your body with empty calories then you are like a hamster running on a wheel. Its little legs are going and going but he isn’t getting anywhere and neither are you. The same goes for exercise. If you are feeding your body nutritious foods but you aren’t strengthening your muscles your body will not function to the best of its ability.

Exercise and good nutrition go hand in hand. You need both to lead a fit, healthy life. It’s just as important what you put in your body as it is what you do with your body. Putting foods that are loaded with fat, sugar and sodium defeat all the hard work you put into exercising. If you want to be fit, strong, and healthy it’s important that you exercise and it is just as important that you fill your body with healthy, good for you food.

In today’s world we are always rushing from point A to point B and don’t take the time to stop and really think about what we are putting in our bodies. We reach for fast food, processed or pre-made food. And no the lettuce and tomato on your cheeseburger does not count as a serving of vegetables. The fresher and less processed the food is the better it is to put into our bodies. The more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and water we put into our bodies the less room we have for the food that is bad for us.

The same goes for exercise, we are so busy we say we just don’t have the time for it. Schedule it on your calendar just like a preventive doctor’s appointment or even one with your hairdresser. Schedule them regularly. You need strength training to build your muscles and keep your bones strong. Strong muscles help protect your joints as you age. It also helps with everyday activities like carrying groceries, climbing stairs, picking up or playing with your kids. Cardiovascular exercise keeps your heart strong and builds your endurance. Exercise can also reverse type II diabetes, lower cholesterol, and ease pain from arthritis, along with many other things. It also keeps us young. The saying “use it or lose it” is very true when it comes to our bodies.

Exercise and nutrition are two equally important components to a healthy lifestyle. Physical activity is important in keeping almost every part of our body healthy and strong. The foods you eat not only fuel your body for exercise, but for your daily life as well. You need both to be healthy, fit and strong!