Short messages on Diet & exercise from Respect Yourself, the guidance site for young people to help make good decisions in life.
If you do things you enjoy and feel free, you are more likely to feel good about yourself. Try exercise – the endorphins released make us feel better about ourselves.
Have you tried the free NHS Fitness Studio? They have 10-45 minute instructor-led videos: aerobics, strength & resistance, pilates & yoga, so you can take your exercise classes in your own home.
Physical activity can boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress, depression, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Exercise can reduce your risk of major illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer by up to 50% and lower your risk of early death by up to 30%.
High sugar foods contain over 22.5 grams of total sugars per 100 grams and low sugar foods contain less than 5 grams per 100 grams.
If you are exercising, pay close attention to and enjoy the moving of the body, the feeling of exertion, the flow of blood through your brain, the focus.
A can of cola contains the equivalent of 7 cubes of sugar. A high-sugar drink contains more than 11.25g per 100ml, and a low-sugar drink contains less than 2.5g.
Be aware of the names used for the different sugars on food & drink labels: sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose, corn syrup, invert sugar and honey.
Pregnant? Avoid eating raw or partially cooked eggs, blue veined cheese, raw shellfish, pates and liver or liver products as these can cause harm to the baby.
Ready meals are often high in salt, sugar or fat. Making your own meals is healthier and works out much cheaper. Visit the NHS Choices Healthy Recipes page for healthy recipes.