No matter what time of year it is, now is a good time to make new goals toward a healthier lifestyle. Part of this plan should involve some exercise every day, eating more nutritious foods including those rich in omega3 oils, and getting preventive wellness exams with your doctor. Don't be too idealistic, but create objectives that are truly reachable for you. It is better to take small, sure steps and reach a goal than to try to take huge leaps only to stumble and fail.
You don't have to go out and buy a lot of gym equipment to achieve adequate exercise. Just thirty minutes of aerobic type exercise like bicycling, swimming, stair climbing, or even brisk walking will do wonders for you if done regularly. An excellent goal would be to set a time to do this on a daily basis.
It is important to re-evaluate our eating habits often, at the least on an annual basis.
It is easy to fall into the fast food, grab and go lifestyle. We need to step back and take a closer look at what our body needs, and include more nutrient-rich foods and supplements in our diets, like omega3 oils.
You will be off to a great heart-healthy start if three quarters of the food on your plate are made up of vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Then fill the final one-fourth with cold-water, fatty fish like salmon, albacore tuna, sardines, or herring which are rich in the essential fatty acids DHA and EPA from their omega3 oils that are crucial for proper heart and brain function. Although fish is the better choice, lean meat, poultry and eggs are also some good protein sources. Don't forget the importance of staying hydrated so drink plenty of water throughout the day as well.
It is wise to get an annual physical exam and have some routine tests done as a good preventive measure. Some of these tests include but are not limited to blood cholesterol, blood pressure, mammogram for women, and prostrate exam for men.
A proper cholesterol profile can decrease your risk of heart disease. Your numbers for total cholesterol should be below 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) to be at the lowest risk. Your HDL (high density lipoprotein), also known as the good cholesterol, needs to be at above forty mg/dL for men and above fifty mg/dL for women. Your LDL (low density lipoprotein), known as bad cholesterol, should be under 100 mg/dL.
It is one of the ingredients in artery-narrowing plaque. Triglycerides give your body energy, but cause problems when excessive amounts thicken artery walls, and these numbers should stay under 150 mg/dL.
There are times when it is still difficult to be sure we have taken in adequate amounts of much needed vitamins, minerals, and omega3s. It is a good idea to take a good natural multi-vitamin and omega3 oils dietary supplement to ensure that you are getting the sufficient nutrients needed for optimum health.
So get off that couch, take a brisk walk, and when you return prepare a delicious meal containing fruits, veggies, whole grains and fish rich in omega3 oils. Then you can relax in the fact that you are well on your way to achieving your goals for a healthier lifestyle.
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