P90X

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Preventing Heart Disease


Like most people, I have parents and grandparents who have problems with high blood pressure, have had strokes and diabetes. I am 29, and will be 30 this year. I have helped my grandparents recover from strokes, and other problems that they have had, and can see what a devastating thing a stroke can be. So it makes me wonder, could they have done more and prevented or greatly slowed these problems down? I do not know exactly how they have lived their lives, but I have decided to do an experiment with my own life. I am going to listen to all that the doctors say about taking care of myself, and preventing those diseases from happening. This experiment will take my whole life to see the results of, but seeing that I have a family history riddled with these problems, I figure that it can only help.

So what exactly am I doing that is going to help prevent these problems?

1.       I exercise 5-6 days a week, or as often as I can.

2.       I cook healthy meals for my family with veggies, fruit and whole grains.

3.       I limit the amount of salt I put on the foods, and instead use herbs and other seasonings to help enhance the food taste.

4.       I take vitamins regularly.

5.       I drink mostly just water, and no alcohol, coffee or pop.

6.       I do my best to limit my sugar intake, with an occasional treat or desert.

7.       I try to stay active aside from my daily exercise, by going hiking, walking, gardening and yard care, and cleaning my home quickly so I raise my heart rate.

I live a regular life, and just do the best I can, but always have in the back of my mind my goal of living a happy healthy life. Not eating hamburger and fries every week or pizza and other greasy and salty foods, is not making my quality of life go down, but I believe it is enhancing my life. I am living in the moment and for the future.

I will let you know how I am doing in 70 years when I turn 100. You better be around and be happy and healthy with me. Let’s make that goal together. Here’s to a healthy life.

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