Tips for a Healthy Heart
Tips for a Healthy Heart and be the Healthiest YOU Possible!
You may have heard that February is American Heart Month but many do not realize that a major cardiac event can happen to anyone, even women.
On a personal note, my father’s massive heart attack (he was in his 50’s, non-smoker, and not obese) is what drove me to dedicate my life to health care and helping people be the healthiest that they can be.
Did you know that according to the American Heart Association, “Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, killing more women than all forms of cancer combined.”
“Go Red for Women® is the American Heart Association's global initiative to end heart disease and stroke in women. Launched in 2004 to close the gap in awareness, Go Red quickly expanded into a worldwide movement dedicated to removing the barriers women face to achieving good health and well-being.”
“GO RED” actually stands for something…
G: GET YOUR NUMBERS
Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure and cholesterol.
O: OWN YOUR LIFESTYLE
Stop smoking, lose weight, exercise, and eat healthy.
Did you know that your heart is the most important muscle in your body? Therefore, Just like lifting weights and exercise makes your skeletal muscles stronger and larger... when you exercise your heart, you make the heart muscles stronger.
Why is this important?
When your heart is stronger your body functions more efficiently and effectively.
When your heart is stronger it can prevent plaque build-up which can lead to heart disease.
When your heart is stronger it pumps more blood per beat and because of this, it doesn't have to beat as fast. This leads to a lower resting heart rate.
It’s up to you. No one can do it for you.
R: REALIZE YOUR RISK
We think it won’t happen to us, but heart disease kills one of three women.
E: EDUCATE YOUR FAMILY
Make healthy food choices for you and your family.
Teach your kids the importance of staying active.
D: DON’T BE SILENT
Tell every woman you know that heart disease is our No. 1 killer.
For more information CLICK HERE to go to The GO RED for Women Page.
Implementing a Plan
I always encourage people to be the healthiest that they can be but this can be difficult for people to implement. Little changes add up to big changes. A complete 180 degree turn around and changing everything all at once will usually result in frustration and failure. Focus on a few smaller changes at first. Try to implement one nutritional change and one physical activity change every 2 weeks. For example, make it a goal to walk for 20 minutes 2 times a week for 2 weeks AND eat a vegetable for every dinner for 2 weeks. Then the next 2 weeks make it a goal to walk 25 minutes 3 times a week and on top of eating a vegetable for dinner, aim to drink 8 glasses of 8 ounces of water a day. You will be surprised on how far you come when you implement these smaller more frequent changes into your routine.
If you need guidance and accountability in your endeavors, please find someone to help you. This can be your doctor, a nutritionist, a trainer, a friend, or a family member. The Refine YOU Program is also here to help you on your journey to better health. The Program would provide you a customized eating plan with workouts to help you reach your goals with daily accountability and support. To find out more about The Refine YOU Program CLICK HERE.
Be sure to take “GO RED” to heart, see your physician to get your numbers checked, and make your health a priority. Remember, you taking the time to put your health first by exercising and eating healthy is NOT selfish, it IS NECESSARY!
