8 Habits You Can Adopt For Healthy Weight Loss

For effective weight loss, maintaining a healthy heart is crucial. A heart-healthy lifestyle plays a key role in lowering the risk of heart disease, strokes, and other health issues.

A balanced diet filled with fruits, vegetables, and regular physical activity are essential parts of such a lifestyle. Limiting harmful habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption is also vital.

The American Heart Association (AHA) has outlined eight lifestyle habits that promote heart health:

# Eat Better

Focus on nutrient-dense, unprocessed foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, lean proteins, and seafood.

# Be More Active

Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise weekly.

# Quit Tobacco

Smoking cessation is highly recommended to prevent various health problems.

# Get Healthy Sleep

Adults typically need 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night.

# Manage Weight

Body mass index (BMI) is often used to assess weight, but it’s not the only measure of a healthy weight.

# Control Cholesterol

Keep your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in check for good heart health.

# Manage Blood Sugar

Maintaining a healthy hemoglobin A1c level helps regulate blood sugar.

# Manage Blood Pressure

Keeping blood pressure below 120/80 mm Hg is recommended for adults.

How Do Heart-Healthy Habits Impact Weight Loss?

Adopting heart-healthy habits is critical for managing weight. These lifestyle choices not only support healthy weight but also reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and stroke. For example, a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, along with regular exercise, can aid in weight management and overall well-being.