Now that the holiday season is over and the New Year has begun, you want
to make sure you are sticking to your New Year’s resolution. Like
most people, yours probably includes a desire to be healthier, but are
finding it hard to stay on track. Here are 11 lifestyle changes you can
make today to keep your resolution going strong and to be heart healthy.
Measure Up
Being overweight is a major health risk factor, and extra weight around
the abdomen is usually of great concern. A woman’s waist circumference
should be no more than 34 inches; a man’s no greater than 40 inches.
If your waist measurement exceeds those guidelines, it’s time to
start moving. Join one of the many
exerices classes offered through Torrance Memorial.
Don’t Supersize
How much you eat is almost as important as what you eat. For example, a
healthy serving of meat, poultry or fish is about the size of a deck of
cards. A reasonably sized potato? Think computer mouse. What’s more,
most American eat their smallest meal in the morning and the largest at
night. Try doing the opposite, so you can burn off your biggest meal with
more activity throughout the day.
Go Fish
The American Heart Association recommends eating at least two servings
a week of fish containing omega-3 fatty acids, which clinical studies
have linked to reduced incidence of cardiovascular disease. Salmon, albacore
tuna, lake trout, mackerel and herring are all high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Don’t Skip Meals
One of the best ways to maintain or lose weight is to eat five to six smaller
meals a day – and not miss meals. If you only eat once a day, between
meals your body thinks it’s being starved, so it will absorb more
calories and hold on to them more tightly once you do eat.
Pile on the Fruit and Veggies
A diet rich in fruits and vegetable help prevent heart disease, especially
green leafy vegetables and fruit and vegetables containing high amounts
of vitamin C.
Attend a Screening
High Blood pressure and high cholesterol are known risk factors for heart
disease. Get screened for these and other conditions are recommended by
your priamry care doctor – especially if you have family history
of heart disease, which puts you at greater risk.
Face Facts About Facts
Limit trans fats – found in foods such as vegetable shortenings,
cookies and snack foods – to less than 1 percent of you daily caloric
intake. Also, avoid fats that come in solid form in the dairy case, such
as margarine or shortening; opt instead for monounsaturated fats, including
olive oil, canola oil or sesame oil. Limit foods high in saturated fat
– such as pork, beef and traditional dairy products – to 7
percent of your daily caloric intake.
Make Smart Substitutions
Prepare food in the healthiest manner possible. With any type of meat you’re
cooking, grilling is better than baking, which is better than frying.
Other clever cooking replacements include using low-fat or fat-free milk
instead of whole milk and two egg whites instead of one egg in recipes.
Get Moving
Find a physical activity you enjoy and can stick with – or better
yet, come up with a variety things you like to do to avoid boredom and
burnout. Whatever exercise you choose, aim for 30 minutes a day most days
of the week for maximum cardiovascular benefits; move briskly enough to
raise your heart rate for sustained time.
Kick the Habit or Don’t Start
Cigarette smoking increases the risk of coronary heart diseases, says the
American Heart Association. Quitting isn’t easy, but various smoking
cessation programs and support tools are available – for example,
check out the American Lung Association’s website at
lungusa.org.
Take a ‘You’ Break
Stress in one of the top four risk factors for heart disease. To manage
stress, set aside one hour a day for yourself. Do whatever you enjoy.
What matters most is that it’s your time, when you can put aside
the sources of stress in your life.