Health & Your Heart

The Reactive Society

We have automobile insurance to react to the accident, but not ongoing classes and testing to make sure there are safe drivers.
We have jail as a reaction to crime, instead of crime prevention.
We have doctors who are there after we get sick, after we get cancer, after we are terminally ill.

Today I would like to submit a theory often talked about but also often swept under the rug. I am asking you to be proactive about your health. You are the co creator of your life. You can choose to be defensive to your situations or offensive. The obstacle is that we have been taught since day one, to be reactive; however it is not too late to change.

We may not be able to change the world but we can start with ourselves. Your health is primarily in your hands and some in the hands of your genetics. You might be surprised to find that the number one killer of women is Heart Disease. According to the American Heart Association only 13 percent of women know that heart disease is a threat. Half of the deaths from heart disease are sudden and unexpected, so there is little to no opportunity for treatment. Prevention is the key.

Atherosclerosis (heart disease) which is a common arterial disease in which raised areas of degeneration and cholesterol deposits (plaques) form on the inner surfaces of the arteries often starts in childhood – but may not actually show up for decades. Unfortunately the medical community does not understand all the causes of heart disease but they have managed to locate the major risk factors, thus understanding what we can do to reduce the risk.

• Leading a sedentary lifestyle
• High blood pressure, high blood cholesteroln • Smoking tobaccon • Obesity and overweightn • Diabetes mellitus

Lately there has been a decline in the death rates from cardiovascular disease in the United States, mostly in part due to public’s adopting more healthful behaviors and lifestyles.

Turning that list into action is what seems to be the road block- it takes more than just educating yourself. Taking that list of risk factors and turning them into preventive measures, the Mayo Clinic recommends you…

• Avoid smoking and limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
• Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole-grain products.
• Exercise regularly.
• Control other health conditions that may put strain on your heart, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.

Sounds simple right? There are only 4 things on that list, and yet still heart disease is the biggest killer of women. Because we are taught to react – we react when we gain weight, when the doctor tells us that we “have to do something about it.” Instead of reacting with fear and anxiety- act with confidence and self worth. Do something proactive for your health today.

As a certified personal trainer, the biggest excuse I get from people who do not lead a healthy lifestyle is time. They do not have time, because they have kids, a job and no time to make a healthy meal, no time to exercise. But today I ask you one thing; if you made time to take care of your body and health- you could in return give more to your family. After all heart disease has taken 489,000 lives this year… and I bet if you could ask them- they would encourage you to make the time.

Today take one step to do something for you! Take preventive steps to stay healthy so you can be there for your family for years and years to come!