Healthy Tips from Shape Up Somerville

Submitted by Shape Up Somerville

• Cut soda. The calories, the corn syrup, the chemicals, the expense. Who needs it? Replace it with tap water which is healthy and calorie free.
• More fruits and veggies, please! Whole fruits and raw veggies make great snacks. Aim for at least five servings every day
• Get active. You don’t need to join a gym to be active. Commute actively to work and school; use city parks; row on the river; dance with friends; stretch and bend in the garden; bike the Community Path
• Maintain a healthy weight. Most adults need between 1,600-2,200 calories per day. Try keeping a faithful log for one week. You can do this a few times a year to evaluate your food and physical activity. Free sites like: thedailyplate.com will help you track and analyze your habits. Give it a go!
• Walk every day. How many steps a day should we be walking? About 10,000. Most Americans get in half that number. How can you bump up your steps? Walk your errands at lunch; walk to work; walk your kids to school; invest in a few tote bags and shop locally on foot.
• Cultivate a fitness friend. Your healthy habits can rub off on those you love. Share healthy meals and recipes with co-workers. Play tag with your kids. Take a Pilates, yoga, dance, fencing, rowing, or swimming class with your partner.
• Choose healthy meals at Shape Up Approved restaurants. To find healthy meals when you’re dining out, just look for the Shape Up Approved decal in the window.
• Shop at the farmers’ market. Pick out beautiful produce and plan a healthy meal. Meet local farmers and discover veggie treasures like golden beets, buttercup squash and sugar pumpkins. We have another glorious month of farmers’ markets with Union Square on Saturday mornings and Davis Square on Wednesday afternoons.