Live Better

Exercise helps you enjoy a better life. You can add around two hours of life expectancy for each hour of exercise you do. Just 30 minutes a day can make a real difference in your health. Exercise does wonders for your mood and hormones, and can send your energy levels soaring.

Play with your little ones at the park after work. If the weather outside is simply unbearable - get some inexpensive home fitness equipment. Hand weights and a jump rope will help you get started. Or you can outfit that extra room with an indoor rowing machine and a Total Gym.

Once the weather gets a little nicer - walk, roller blade or play basketball with your friends. Park a little farther away from your destination. Better yet - ride your bike to work or school. Take the stairs, not the elevator. Enjoy a brisk walk with your family or friends after dinner. Do some sit-ups, push-ups and leg lifts to keep your body moving and toned while you enjoy watching your favorite tv shows. Use hand weights or the TotalGym to make the most of your TV viewing time.

Eat Healthy Foods. The American Heart Association recommends filling up on the good stuff. If you're watching your weight, fruits and veggies will give you vitamins, minerals and fiber with few calories - and you'll feel fuller. They're low in fat and sodium and contain no cholesterol. Eating fish is a great way to add lean protein to your diet. Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, like mackerel, lake trout, tuna and salmon are all great for your heart. Try broiled, baked or steamed foods, not fried; add a salad, not fries, as your side order; drink skim milk, not soda. These small choices can add up to big calorie savings

Getting fit and staying fit with daily exercise and eating healthy foods is essential to a long and healthy life. The quickest way to lose weight and keep the excess weight off for good is really very simple. Practice these two habits for a life of better health and fitness.

Finally - if you are like the millions of people who still smoke - Quit smoking. You know smoking is bad for your lungs. Did you know it's also bad for your heart? Smoking increases blood pressure, decreases HDL (the good cholesterol), decreases exercise tolerance and causes fatty buildup in arteries, increasing the tendency for blood to clot