We strive to share guest blogs that are valuable to our readers, not only for moving day, but for all aspects of life. The following is a guest blog by Lou Ann Donovan, a “nutrition geek” in her own right and an expert on Living a Young & Healthy Life!

Do you want to save both time and money? Then staying on a healthy track all year long will lead you in that direction. Just imagine what it costs you to take time off work, rushing you or your sick kids to the doctor, then running to the drug store for medications and finally falling into bed exhausted. Over time, it can take a toll on you and your family’s well-being.

The solution and secret to a long and healthy life is proper maintenance of your body. Think about it, we do maintenance all the time for material items that can be replaced like our cars, appliances, computers, home furnace and the list goes on. You can’t replace your whole body when it stops functioning. So why not keep your body tuned up on a daily basis by simply eating well and exercising?

Simple maintenance steps to living a healthy life that you can start today:

• Exercise plays a vital role in a healthy life. Decide on a time of day that works best for you to squeeze in a workout and stick to it. Early mornings tend to be best so when unexpected events pop up you decrease the chance of skipping a workout. Pick a physical activity that you enjoy; walking, Zumba, swimming, biking and yoga.
• Nutrition is the key to a healthier body inside and out. Every Sunday sit down with your family and plan out your meals for the week. Shoot for smaller meals combining a protein or a fat with every carbohydrate you eat to slow down the absorption rate of the carbohydrates.
• Sleep benefits are endless for the body including weight loss, improved memory and mood booster just to name a few. It is easy to stay up late trying to get more work done but sleep is necessary to refuel our bodies. When you start the kids on a school bedtime routine, start one for yourself too.
• Water is a major component carrying nutrients and oxygen to the cells. Make a conscious effort to drink more water each day and don’t wait until you are thirsty. A good reminder to drink more water is to carry around a refillable water container that you can take anywhere you go; the office, on a walk, to the store, etc.

You have the power to live a healthy life and slow down the aging process if you want to!

About: Lou Ann Donovan is a Midwest gal who began on a journey to live a healthier life when she was in college. Over the years, she’s researched both nutritional supplements and healthy eating in order to reach optimal health and longevity. Lou Ann is an independent distributor with Visalus Sciences and and is helping transform lives 90 days at a time. She can be reached at 913-593-6071 or louanndonovan@gmail.com.