And between the fast pace of life we lead and the seemingly constant pickings of our attention, desires and taste buds, maintaining a healthy habit can sometimes seem next to impossible. You might feel great about your commitment to doing yoga every morning, but you might also feel guilty about quitting the Whole30 diet after just a few days. According to the CDC, we don't eat enough fruits and vegetables. In fact, only 9% of Americans meet the daily vegetable intake recommendation.
If you think that we are doing better with our consumption of fruit, that is not the case. The same report found that only 12% of Americans eat enough fruit every day. We must always act with restraint in our lives. Excessive alcohol consumption over a long period of time greatly reduces the body's natural immune system and can hinder mental functions.
On the other hand, moderate alcohol consumption may provide some health benefits, such as reducing the risk of ischemic stroke. Recent studies showed a consistent 25 to 40% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular diseases associated with moderate alcohol consumption. The most recent consensus places the goal of moderate drinking at no more than 1 to 2 drinks a day for men and no more than 1 drink a day for women. In the U.S.
In the US, 1 drink is generally considered to be 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor. As for smoking, well, there simply isn't a healthy amount of tobacco. There are many resources and support groups for quitting smoking that help people quit smoking. How long does it take to develop a habit? 21 days.
And if you continue doing the activity for 90 days, it will become a lifestyle. So, if you want to make a healthy habit part of your lifestyle, keep in mind that it won't feel completely natural until you pass the 90-day mark. It's easy to lose sight of your habit when you schedule something new for your busy day or when temptations abound. If you make regular exercise part of your lifestyle, it may not be realistic to exercise for 21 days straight.
You may need to take a day's break to deal with other matters. The point is to hold yourself accountable. It's recommended that you plan ahead and never allow yourself to cheat two days in a row, or it could be the start of a slippery slope.
