Heart Healthy Tips for Women
Most women do not know this fact, but the number one killer disease of women is not breast cancer; it is heart disease. Armed with this fact, women today need to be more attuned to their bodies, what they put into it, and how they use it.
he lifestyle of women is very different today than it was just one generation ago. Women are working and managing their families. There is also the influx of single motherhood in today’s society. With all this stress put upon women, it is no wonder that heart disease is among their number one killer.
Time Is a Woman’s Best Friend
Have you ever noticed that many of today’s women are food shopping, talking on their cell phone, and tending to a small child while writing something down? Women today are experts at multi-tasking. However, to what end?
A woman has the super-hero ability to find time for everyone and everything, except for when it comes to the most important woman in her life – herself.
Finding time to instill good habits is not only essential to a woman’s health but essential to her family’s health as well. If you do not take care of yourself, who will take care of your family?
Nutrition
Find a few extra minutes in the morning to throw some healthy snacks in your bag. It could be something as simple as a few carrot sticks or some nuts and grapes. Perhaps shopping for these extra healthy snacks and putting them in a separate bag on Sunday evening to take to work will be enough to get your week off on the right foot.
Exercise
Common sense tells us that exercise is important. One hour per week is a great way to start. One hour per week is not a huge commitment and will reap benefits in health as well as attitude. You will probably notice that you will feel better after that one hour and will want to commit to doing that a little more.
In bright red pen, put down a time one hour per week that you are going to exercise, even if it is a brisk walk during lunch.
And if there is a set of stairs that you can take instead of using the elevator, then do so. Leave yourself five extra minutes per day to walk up to work. Get off the subway or bus one stop earlier during nice weather and walk a bit.
Be held accountable by your sister, your husband, your children, or your best friend. Include them in your commitment and have them hold you accountable.
Sleep
Once you find yourself including some type of cardio into your lifestyle, you will find yourself wanting to do more. Cardio has many benefits from heart health to peace of mind to better sleep.
With all these benefits, why not really think about your loved ones and put taking care of your heart on your list of things to do today!
Heart Health Tips for Men
Often times, you will see an article announcing that the number one cause of death for women is not breast cancer. It is heart disease. There is much accentuation put on this today; in any case, men should be similarly as mindful of their heart wellbeing.
For many men, getting older and gaining weight seems to go hand in hand. Also, with the constraints of home, family, and work, eating right and working out often fall by the wayside. It doesn’t need to be that way, however.
Incorporating a healthy diet and exercise regimen into your weekly routine is a gift you give yourself, but also a gift you give your family.
A Few Small Changes Go a Long Way
Just like anything else, if you start out overzealous in your exercise regimen, chances are you will fall. Start your new heart healthy way slowly and gradually. When you see that you have made little successes, you will be more likely to proceed to workouts that are more complex.
The same thing goes for your diet. If you take everything you like completely out of your diet, you find yourself missing and focusing on all those things that you have denied yourself. Instead, start adding new and different heart-healthy foods into your diet every day.
Diet and Nutrition
Some men associate the word diet with a few carrot and celery sticks. By setting a goal of eating more nutritious foods, you will create a more positive connotation. “More nutritious foods” has a lot more pleasant tone to it than “diet.”
Add a few new things every day to your nutritious eating goal. If you do not like something, try making it a different way. For example, some folks just cannot get used to the taste of oatmeal or quinoa. Adding honey to the quinoa or fresh fruit to the oatmeal will make it more appealing.
If you have never tried cranberries, nuts, almonds, seeds, flax or olive oil, now is a great time to experiment. Instead of butter on your bread, try using olive oil with some delicious herbs. Be creative and you will be adding new foods that are healthy in your routine before you know it.
Exercise
One of the biggest complaints men have for exercise is that they do not have the time. However, if you let your family in on your new desire to bring exercise back into your life, you will more than likely find yourself with lots of enthusiasm and support, as well as plenty of company.
If you incorporate walking or bike riding into your family routine, do not be surprised to find the whole family joining you.
Many times, for men, a feeling of lack of support or aloneness may accompany a new-found desire to eat right and exercise. But once you let your family know that you are focused on having a healthy heart, they will not only cheer you in but also probably join you.
