60-Second Total Health Makeover

Sometimes getting healthier means making a major investment, whether that means putting in serious time at the gym, or major surgery. But sometimes you can make the biggest strides toward a healthier lifestyle with the smallest steps. Make these minor investments now, and watch them pay huge dividends in the future!

Drink ice water: You lose a pound every 8 weeks if you make it eight 8 ounce glasses a day. You'll burn 123 calories of heat daily to warm the water to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Eat two bananas: for a 20% reduced risk of stroke. Studies show that low potassium levels can be linked to increased incidence of stroke.

Have a snack before lunch and dinner: You lose up to 8-10 pounds a month if you make it The Appetizer Cookie (it's packed with fiber and protein), with 8 ounces of water, and you'll feel full longer and eat less.

Eat more yogurt: Lose 61% more body fat (81% more stomach fat) if you fit in 3 servings a day.

Have a piece of dark chocolate: A Harvard University study found that eating dark chocolate three times a month could prolong a person's life by roughly one year. Women who eat chocolate also report more satisfying sex lives than those who don't eat chocolate.

Drink a post-workout shake: For muscle recovery and growth. Research found that drinks that blend carbohydrates and protein, such as The Appetizer Shake , are nearly 40% more effective than protein alone at helping the muscles recover and grow after a workout.

Drink red wine from Chile instead of France: Reduce your risk for cancer. Chilean cabernet sauvignon is 38% higher in flavonols (the antioxidants that fight cancer-causing cells) than French wine.

An apple a day: a natural remedy for anemia (common in women). They're rich in vitamin B12, which helps increase the formation of red blood cells and helps cure anemia at a fast pace.

Use garlic in your everyday cooking: reduce high blood pressure. Consuming garlic is said to reduce spasms of the small arteries. It also slows down the pulse rate and modifies the heart rhythm, besides relieving the symptoms of dizziness, numbness, shortness of breath, and the formation of gas within the digestive tract.