In a word, yes, it can be. In fact, it should be. In this overcomplicated, stressed-out world we live in, learn to live by the words “keep it simple.”  There is no need for complicated diet plans or expensive exercise equipment, or crazy supplements designed to fix problems you didn’t even know you had.  Use common sense and listen to your body. Pay attention to the way you feel and follow a few simple tips.

Don’t skip a meal, especially breakfast.
You’ve heard it before, and you’ve probably even said it to your kids, but this time, try to follow this advice.  Start your day with foods rich in protein and fiber such as whole-grain breads and cereals and low-fat dairy. You’ll feel full longer; you’ll eat less later.  You’ll have energy to get through the morning.  But don’t try to justify that doughnut or sugary cereal.  Those don’t count.

Get a check-up and get to know your numbers.
Believe it or not, understanding just a handful of measurements can give you a really good idea of how you measure up when it comes to your health and can point to areas where you could stand to make some improvements.  At your next checkup, ask your doctor to give you your key numbers and discuss them with you:

Health Measurement & Desired Ranges

  • Cholesterol :  Less than 200
  • HDL (“good” cholesterol):  Over 60
  • LDL (“bad” cholesterol):   Less than 100
  • Triglycerides:  Less than 150
  • Blood pressure:  Below 119/79

Go to sleep.
If you can get a good night’s sleep, you’ll not only feel better in the morning, you’ll be better.  Sleeping well means you’re coping well with the stresses of your life. If you’re not getting about seven or eight hours of sleep a night, make it a priority. You’ll look better, you’ll feel younger, and you’ll be well-armed to take on your day.

Small steps.
Get up and walk. What could be easier?  Buy an inexpensive pedometer to count your steps. Aim for 10,000 a day. If you’re not quite there, add a few steps per day until you are.  It sounds too easy, but you’ll significantly improve your health by getting up and moving about.

Talk to your parents and grandparents.
We’ve all gotten that standard line of questioning from your doctors. Any history of heart disease or cancer, or other health issues in your family?  If you’re like most people, you may know a bit about your parents’ health and maybe your siblings’, but should you know more?  Having conversations with loved ones about health issues can be hard, but it’s important that you do it. Knowing your family’s health history can lead to diagnostic screening that can find health problems early enough to treat.  And if you have children, it’s important that you know the history of both sides of their family.

Toss out your scale.
We live in a weight-obsessed world. But your weight alone doesn’t really tell you much about how healthy you are.  For many people, knowing your body mass index (BMI) or your amount of body fat is more useful.  Even your waist size is important, because excess weight around your middle may mean you have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.  So trade your scale for a tape measure and use that to track your progress.