Spring is on it's way -- that means lots of opportunities for outdoor activities. That's great if you're still holding back on your plans to get healthier by getting into shape.
It also means lots of chances for kids to get hurt -- more outside play and more sports can be a bad thing if you're not prepared.
Sports injuries are all too common, and can usually be prevented. Dehydration and sprains caused by improper conditioning before starting the season can so easily be prevented just by taking a little "prep" time beforehand.
As Dr Eric Law explains in this month's video:
* Adequate hydration BEFORE beginning a practice or a game is essential. Once you start sweating away fluid -- it's nearly impossible to catch back up. * Proper conditioning beforehand is also a must. Stretching and warming-up before strenous activity has always been a staple of good sports habits, but conditioning yourself for the weather is also important. Most collapses by young players during the summer months are due to poor conditioning before those heated practices or games. Get your children off the couch and out of the air condititioning for at least a little while each day when it starts to warm up. Slow but steady conditioning of activity in the heat will allow a greater tolerance in those hot summer practices.
It's not just children who need to remember these key facts. Adults, especially older adults, are affected by heat and exhaustion even more. During the hot summer months, the elderly should drink plenty of fluids to maintain adequate hydration. Especially if you have to be somewhere where there is no air conditioning -- adequate hydration is essential. It's also a good idea for you to get outside when it's warm and acclimate yourself to the heat. It will make these grueling hot Alabama summers a little more bearable if you condition yourself slowly to the heat.
Finally, spring is the perfect opportunity to make a big impact in your diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables begin to be in peak season and become readily available. For that matter, why not start your own garden. Not only will you get the benefit of growing your own food, you get the exercise, too. That's a two-for-one deal if I ever heard it! Need help getting that garden started? Visit one of the great sites below for ideas and advice.
February is Heart Month! Did you know that over 82 million Americans have one or more types of heart disease? And each year, 33 percent of deaths are heart disase related. Yet, many types of heart disease can be PREVENTED! Here's how: - Don't smoke!!! If you do, stop now! - If you have high blood pressure, get it lowered! - Eat a diet that is LOW in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. - BE physically ACTIVE! - Keep your weight under control. - Get REGULAR medical check-ups. - Follow directions for taking medications!! - Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
Easier said than done, right? Think about it this way -- a few changes now can add years to your life. Would you rather have a few years of enjoying the "high life" by not taking care of yourself, or would you rather have many, many years to enjoy children and grandchildren?
Quitting smoking can be one of the hardest things you can do. There are programs and support systems, though, to make quitting easier. Visit smokefree.gov for more information. Family and friends will offer support once they know you are trying to be healthy. You might inspire others to quit, too!!
Having high blood pressure can often be something you can't control. Some people are genetically predisposed to high blood pressure. But -- you can control it! If you are on medications, make sure you take them exactly like they are prescribed. Visit your doctor often and take your blood pressure at home so you know when it's not where it should be. If you're blood pressure is caused by "unnatural" forces -- like obesity; high salt, high fat diet; little phyical activity -- then you CAN do something about your high blood pressure! * EXERCISE! (Even 30 minutes 3 days a week is better than nothing. Start slow and build your way up to daily activity) * Eat right !! (Fruits, vegetables, high protein, low fat, low carb, low salt)
If you have diabetes, you are at an increasingly high risk of developing heart problems. Diabetes can also be controlled with proper diet and exercise. Go to diabetes.org for more information.
Women are not exempt from heart disease. In fact, heart disease is the NUMBER 1 killer of women. Signs and symptoms of heart attack may be different in women. They can sometimes be mistaken for other problems, so the heart attack goes unnoticed or undiagnosed and can lead to bigger problems later or even death. Go here for a great, in depth discussion of signs of heart attack in women.
In 2004, the American Heart Association began a campaign to help women understand the risk of heart disease and recognize it as the number 1 killer of women. They launched the "Go Red" campaign and since have tirelessly committed to education and awareness of heart disease in women. Click here to learn more.
To help your quest of being healthier to achieve better heart health, the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, and American Cancer Society have a website called "Everyday Choices". It's a great resource to help with eating right and exercise. Check it out!!
There's no "Magic Bullet" for fighting heart disease. It's small steps that add up to big benefits. And even if you've already survived a heart attack or stroke, it's not too late. Changing your habits now can prevent another heart event and prolong your life. So, make those good choices. Make healthy decisions. Be HEART-wise and HEART-healthy. Teach your children and grandchildren good habits, too.
