As we blaze into the new year, our resolutions are generally along these lines:
The great news? We have control over the most important change we can make to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. As a matter of fact, these diseases are largely preventable through healthy lifestyle choices. You can take small lifestyle steps each and every day that could reduce your risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease. It will also help you feel better, look better and have the energy you need to experience life.
You just need to be committed to being healthy. EVERY. DAY. Read this article for more in-depth discussion on some small changes you can do to start getting healthy.
http://www.cancer.org/healthy/toolsandcalculators/quizzes/app/nutrition-activity-quiz
Good luck! Here's to a happier and healthier you by 2015!
Kari
Other great resources:
Eat This, Not That books
Changing your habits
Portion Size Plate Tool from WebMD
One Pound of Fat Versus One Pound of Muscle - Clearing up the Misconceptions
- I'm going to work out EVERY DAY!
- For TWO HOURS!
- I renounce junk food!
- No more carbs! EVER!
You get the idea. Honestly, I think we have just set ourselves up for failure before we even started. Everyone knows (whether consciously or not) that if you set yourself "bite-sized" goals (pun loosely intended), you're more likely to succeed. So scrap the whole unrealistic New Year's Resolution. Ease up on the grandiose gestures. Sheesh.
Have you ever watched "Wall-E"—the Disney/Pixar film set in the future with humankind so out of shape, lazy and obese that they ride around on scooters with a video screen in front of them? Yeah...if you haven't, you need to. Every day, I see this movie coming true in more ways than one.
Have you ever watched "Wall-E"—the Disney/Pixar film set in the future with humankind so out of shape, lazy and obese that they ride around on scooters with a video screen in front of them? Yeah...if you haven't, you need to. Every day, I see this movie coming true in more ways than one.
Here's the important bit:
© All rights belong to Disney PIXAR.
The great news? We have control over the most important change we can make to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. As a matter of fact, these diseases are largely preventable through healthy lifestyle choices. You can take small lifestyle steps each and every day that could reduce your risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease. It will also help you feel better, look better and have the energy you need to experience life.
You just need to be committed to being healthy. EVERY. DAY. Read this article for more in-depth discussion on some small changes you can do to start getting healthy.
Maintain a healthy weight throughout your life.
- Balance calorie intake (your fuel) with physical activity (the movement that burns the fuel)
- Avoid excessive weight gain throughout your life
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight if currently overweight or obese
Adopt a physically active lifestyle.
- Adults: Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, above your usual activities, on five or more days of the week; 45 to 60 minutes of intentional physical activity are preferable. Basically, try to break a sweat every day.
- Children and adolescents: Engage in at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity at least five days a week.
Eat a healthy diet, with an emphasis on plant sources.
- Choose foods and drinks in amounts that help achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat five or more servings of a variety of vegetables and fruits each day.
- Choose whole grains over processed (refined) grains. (Try looking for "100% whole wheat" or "stone ground" or "whole grain" as the first ingredient.)
- Limit intake of processed and red meats.
Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages.
- Drink no more than one drink per day for women or two per day for men.
Are you living smart?
Take this nutrition and activity quiz:http://www.cancer.org/healthy/toolsandcalculators/quizzes/app/nutrition-activity-quiz
Good luck! Here's to a happier and healthier you by 2015!
Kari
Other great resources:
Eat This, Not That books
Changing your habits
Portion Size Plate Tool from WebMD
One Pound of Fat Versus One Pound of Muscle - Clearing up the Misconceptions