5/25/08

Do you have a workout buddy?  Exercising with a partner makes it easier to stick with a fitness routine.  Talking with a friend while exercising makes the time go by faster, and the two (or more) of you can encourage each other, whether it be to rejoice when you have reached a goal or to offer support when you encounter a setback.

5/18/08

Did you know that too much abdominal fat (whether or not you are considered overweight) can place you at risk for heart disease and strokes?  A waistline of at least 35 inches for women and at least 40 inches for men are considered “high risk waists.”  There is no such thing as “spot reducing” a specific part your body, so all the abdominal crunches in the world won’t whittle away those inches without proper diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, poultry, and lean meats) and exercise (at least 30 minutes of exercise every day).

05/11/08

If you are tired of drinking all of that water, then try “eating” some the fluids your body needs.  Melons, cucumbers, peaches, and spinach are just a few examples of fruits and vegetables that have 90% to 95% water content.  Here’s another reason to eat your fruits and vegetables!

05/04/08

What a difference a day makes (or rather 20 minutes!).  Just look at the instant benefits of quitting smoking, as given by the American Cancer Society: In just 20 minutes after you put down the cigars and cigarettes, your heart rate and blood pressure drops.  The level of carbon monoxide in your blood drops to normal in just 12 hours after quitting.  Circulation of blood and lung function can improve in as little as 2 weeks after you quit smoking!

04/27/08

Frozen and canned foods offer nourishment for our bodies with the convenience of having an instant meal.  However, too much of a good thing can harm us.  These “convenience foods” can be loaded with sodium (salt), which can lead to complications with hypertension (one of our Fatal Five culprits, which is one of the leading causes of strokes and a top contributor to heart attacks for Americans).  For example, 1 cup of condensed soup can have an average of 1100 grams of sodium!  Make sure to read your labels and look for the sodium content in your food during your next trip to the supermarket.