5 Easy Tweaks for a Healthier Lifestyle

I turned on the TV yesterday and saw John Basedow advertising his new fitness routine. A fake tan turned his organic pigment into a statuesque tint of copper and bronze. His new workout sweat glistened and trickled down the etched valleys between his pecs and over his 12-pack abs. He looked like a wet Ken doll. The rigidity and form made me laugh. "Who looks like this?" I thought to myself. Then it made me frown and wonder, "who would ever want to look like this?"

Most of us feel the need to cut and shape our bodies in unnatural ways to attain a figure that satisfies our emotional sense of well-being. We see icons John Basedow and think, "this is the ideal man." We think, "this is how I'm supposed to look." I'm not a health expert or a nutritionist or personal trainer, but I believe this paradigm for health and physical build isn't right. To cookie-cut our way into the bodies of statues not only destroys any sense of self we may have, but also limits our ability to experience the pleasures life has to offer. Below I have listed five easy ways to tweak your lifestyle into one that is both healthier and more enjoyable without denying yourself the pleasures a good meal has to offer.

1. Slow Down

We all tend to eat quickly. Many of us have jobs with short lunch breaks or plans at night that cut into mealtime. Try and make mealtimes special breaks in the day, regardless of where you work or what you are doing. Slowing the eating process has many beneficial upshots: We realize we are full earlier in the meal, which allows us to stop eating when we are satisfied instead of gorging on everything in sight. We digest better when our food is properly chewed. We actually taste what we are eating, which brings me to my next point...

2. Enjoy Food

Food is incredible. It allows you to explore a whole sense that is usually overlooked in the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. If we are born with five senses, why try and limit them. Feel the textures on your tongue, taste the multitude of flavors, and smell the aromas. When you enjoy what you are eating, you naturally change the way you look at food. The next time you eat a meal try to close your eyes while eating the first bite and focus on what it really tastes like. If you find a taste you like, look for it in other dishes that may be just as satisfying, yet more nutritional. A little time devoted to food appreciation is never a bad thing.

3. Try New Things

If you've never had sushi or Pho or Qiywat with injera, you are missing out on some delicious alternatives to regular cuisine. A lot of food from around the world provides much more nutrition than greasy hamburgers or freezer dried subs made with thawed meat and vegetables. Pho, for instance, is a delicious Vietnamese noodle soup that is both filling and well rounded. The noodles provide much needed carbs and the meat provides protein. Have a fruit or salad later on in the day for a snack and you have all the nutrients you need. Trying new things is also a great conversation starter and is excellent for dates. If you don't like what you get, you can always find a quick fix when you get home.

4. Eat Local

The advantages of eating local are numerous. For one, you are supporting your local community, which always feels good. The farmers and small businesses that work hard to compete with larger corporations need all the support they can get. The greatest part of local eating is that the food almost always tastes better. It is usually fresher, more aromatic, more colorful, and packed with more nutrients. Of course small things-like going into your favorite local restaurant and ordering "the usual" from a waitress that knows your name-also make the food experience more enjoyable. You don't have to be a hippie and start wearing jeans made out of recycled Styrofoam, just spend your next couple bucks at Frank's Hometown Diner instead of McDonalds.

5. Moderation

This is the biggest one, and I can't stress it enough. Moderation is key to anything in life. We all know overeating is bad and under-eating is just as awful; it's finding the balance between two extremes that satiates us and gives us a sense of fulfillment. If you're going to eat a high-cal lunch, take it easy on dinner. If you're going to snack during the day, find things that will fill you up without shocking your system. Granola bars, a salad, or a cup of soup all are examples of foods that take the edge off of hunger without bloating the system. Keep yourself in check by chewing gum or staying busy between meals and you'll find your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners will be more satisfying.

Bonus: Water, Tea, and Wine

Don't underestimate the power of hydration. A big glass of water a half hour or so before a meal will help you eat less, yet still feel replete. Also, replacing soda or coffee with water or tea makes a huge difference when trying to cut some empty calories during the day. If you're not a water drinker, try a nice cold glass on a hot day and you'll remember how good it really is. Make a bottle of soda or a cup of coffee a luxury instead of a norm and you'll find both taste better after a stint without them. Also, try drinking a glass of red wine late in the evening. Not only is it good for you heart, but it also works better than Ambien when you're trying to fall asleep.

I'm no John Basedow, but I'm comfortable with my body image. These are five little things I try to do to keep both my weight and my physical welfare in check. I think they are easy ways to subtly change my lifestyle that keep me conscious of what I am eating while simultaneously increasing the enjoyment I get from my victuals. I truly believe that these things work and think they are worth trying. Get out, love life, and enjoy food without placing absurd restrictions on your dietary standards. You'll be glad you did.