14 Simple Things To Do For A Better Body

Update (8/22/2007) - I've written a new article exposing some of the more common fitness myths that we believe in. As you change your body, make sure that none of these mentioned myths stop you from attaining your goals!

You don't need a body like Arnold Schwarzenegger's to feel good, but neither would you want a gut so big sticking out in front of you that people would be alerted of your presence before you enter the door. We've collected 14 articles and resources that will help you not just look better and also feel better. All these things are simple things which do not require any money, and you can start doing them straightaway.

Exercise Your Body

1. Start walking. Walking is a low-impact exercise, and is very good for beginners who are looking to ease themselves into a better level of health and fitness. Walking helps to reduce weight and blood pressure and even lowers our risk of developing diabetes. (Walking For Fitness)
2. Take up new sports. Sports do not just exercise our bodies physically, but they also stimulate our mental muscles and relieve stress. Try a game of badminton, and you will find yourself thinking of ways to outwit your opponent constantly throughout the game. (Top Ten Sports For Your Body)
3. Hit the gym. Weights are one of the best ways that we have to change our body composition quick. Tim Ferriss gained 34lbs of muscle in just 4 weeks, with a total of only 4 hours of gym time. (From Geek To Freak: How I Gained 34lbs of Muscle in 4 Weeks)
4. Triple your workout effectiveness. Getting stronger and fitter at the gym need not be such a time-consuming task. Zen Habits has a list of tips that will triple the effectiveness of your workouts and help you save time. (16 Tips To Triple Your Workout Effectiveness)
5. Make exercise a habit. Exercise keeps your body healthy, so why not make it a habit? Habit formation can be quite hard sometimes, so here are 10 tips that will help you make exercise a habit. (How to Make Exercise a Daily Habit)

Finetune Your Diet

6. Eat proper healthy food. This has been said more often than it has been practised. We are what we eat. If we eat junk, our bodies will naturally look like junk too. Exercise is important in our quest for a better body and so is our diet. Alright, hands off that packet of fries already. (The NFL's Secret Muscle Foods)
7. Drink milk. Recent research shows that milk may actually be the best muscle-building food as compared to soy proteins and carb drinks. When you start on your gym routine, your body is going to need more protein to repair itself, and milk would be a good source. (Milk: The Best Muscle Builder?)
8. Stop drinking soda. This is a very popular one, which is all the more you should be doing if you still have not. Soda is high in sugar, and with the size of the cups McDonalds use, you will get fat in no time at all. However, soda also has other harmful effects on our health which you should know about. Diet soda is not any better too. Instead, opt for the glass of plain water. (8 Ways Soda Fizzles Your Health)
9. Eat Healthy at Fast Food. While it is a lot better to not eat fast food at all, there are times when we just can't help it, whether it be temptation or life constraints. When such a situation arises, make the best out of it. Dr. Gourmet has compiled a very comprehensive list of items from fast food restaurants that are healthy to eat (less than 400 calories and 15g of fat). (The Health Of It All: Eating Fast Food)
10. Stop Supersizing. "Researchers have determined that it costs just 67 cents to 'super-size' a fast food meal. They concluded that the ultimate cost of those extra calories may be far more than 67 cents." (Super-Sizing: Your Meal Costs More Than You Think)
11. Eat Breakfast. A suprisingly large number of people skip breakfast because they think that they are cutting away calories by doing so. The actual truth is that eating breakfast reduces the total amount of calories consumed throughout the day, and also increases metabolism and fat loss. (Eat Breakfast to Lose Weight)

It's Also In The Mind

12. Listen to music before you sleep. Researchers have shown that 45 minutes of listening to relaxing music before bedtime can improve sleep by up to 35%. Your body needs proper rest to recover after all the exercises that you will be doing. (Listen to music to help you sleep)
13. Increase your self-confidence. What good is a toned and fit body if the self-confidence level cannot match? When you are looking good, you would also want to be feeling good as well. These tips will help increase your self-confidence so that you will look good and feel good. (10 Ways to Instantly Build Self Confidence)
14. Wake up early. The best time to exercise would be early in the morning, when everyone else is asleep and the streets outside are not congested with traffic. What's more, waking up early also gives you better energy level so you will not be feeling lethargic all day long. (10 Benefits of Rising Early)