Blog Your Heart Out 2013
| February 22, 2013 | Posted by Madeline @ Food, Fitness, and Family under Health, Wellness |
Today I am joining up with other bloggers to blog our heart out and raise awareness of heart disease prevention.
Heart disease is currently the #1 killer of both men and women in the United States. It is also a topic that particularly hits home to me this year. If you’re a relatively new reader, my dad had a heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery last fall. Luckily he has fully recovered but for so many others that is not the case. My dad didn’t have any of the risk factors for heart disease except stress which goes to show it can happen to anyone. There are steps you can take now, no matter how old or young you are, to help prevent heart disease in your own life.
1. Eat a healthy diet. Focus on getting tons of fruits and veggies each day. Choose lean meats like fish, turkey, or chicken. Skip the white bread and opt for whole grains instead. Basically eat real food and ditch the processed junk.
2. Get moving. The American Heart Association recommends that you do at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Find something that you love to do because you’ll be more likely to stick with it. Whether that be walking your dog, shaking it in Zumba, or killing it in CrossFit, find your workout niche and get after it.
3. Drink water. Staying properly hydrated is so important. I posted my tips for staying hydrated on Tuesday.
4. Reduce your stress. Stress can be a huge factor when assessing risk for heart disease. Daily meditation or a yoga practice can help lower your stress levels.
5. Get with your doctor or other primary care provider. Have your cholesterol and blood pressure checked frequently. Know your family medical history and make sure your provider knows it too. Even children are starting to show elevated cholesterol levels so it’s never too early to be vigilant.
Heart disease kills 1 woman every single minute. If that isn’t a frightening statistic I don’t know what is. Let’s do our best to GO RED and help prevent heart disease in ourselves, our mothers, our friends, and our daughters. You can learn more about the GO RED movement HERE.
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Great, important cause Madeline! I am so glad your dad has made such a full recovery!
Paula Kiger recently posted..Our Salty Spring Break (A Mama Kat Writing Prompt)
I love this. The Go Red campaign hits close to home for me!
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers recently posted..Mediterranean Snacks Giveaway
Such good reminders! Great post!
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted..Snow Day
LOVE THIS! I lost my mom 8 years ago to a heart condition. I do everything in my power to keep mine healthy!!
Dana recently posted..Fitness Friday
i think reducing stress is a BIG factor!! Great tips!
Thanks so much for sharing your story and participating in Blog Your Heart Out day Madeline. Such an important cause and for many, very preventable!
Tamara recently posted..Why every day is heart health month at my house
I think so many women don’t realize that it affects us too. Scary statistics for sure.
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats recently posted..Heart Disease: Go Red and Blog Your Heart Out!
So great to see all these posts about the subject. Health and information are so important.
Pavement Runner recently posted..Playlist Thursday and #LoveMusic
Great post! So scary that so many women aren’t taking more steps to protect themselves. Simple steps really!
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome recently posted..Fitness Friday + A Fun Playdate!