Use a food diary to achieve a better balance in your daily menu.

Easy ideas for living well add up to great results. Take our suggestions, and make everyday exercise, nutrition, and enjoyment a priority in your life.

Mindful Munching
Our experts recommend eating a well-balanced diet. Keep a food diary to help you monitor the types of foods you are eating and how much of them you are consuming. Download and print our easy-to-use diary.

Share your food diary with your healthcare provider if you have questions about your diet. Even one day of information is helpful.

Schedule a Daily Break
Give your body a chance to relax and replenish itself by taking a breather. Listen to your favorite mix of music on an MP3 or CD player during lunch, or pop a movie into the DVD player. Try to find meaningful moments to rest throughout each day.

Healthy Benefits Listen to music to help you increase your concentration and creativity by stimulating your mind; it can also help relieve anxiety and ease depression. Burning just 100 extra calories a day can help prevent weight gain.

"Jump Start To Fitness" is from the January 2007 issue of Southern Living.