For many people following a weight management regimen, exercise is the biggest challenge. But exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous; it’s just a matter of getting your heart rate up for 30 minutes at a time. Even 15 minutes of increased heart rate can be extremely beneficial. While exercise burns calories, it’s also a terrific way to improve cardiovascular health, increase energy levels, boost metabolism, improves your level of happiness, and may also help reduce stress.

Even highly nutritious foods can be made unhealthy if prepared improperly. While it’s important to make good choices at the store, you should also select ways of cooking your foods that maximize the health benefit of your meal.

The foods you eat are one of the most important aspects of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Whole plant foods are more nutrient-dense than processed and fast foods, which are typically high in fats, calories, sugars and sodium, and low in beneficial nutrients like vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber and antioxidants.