Healthy habits create healthy people. Wishing we were ten pounds lighter or had lower blood pressure isn't going to make it happen. Did you know that obesity in America is at an all time high? And it's not just about being a size 6 ... it's about preventing diseases that are associated with obesity.
Studies have shown that losing just ten pounds can make huge differences in some pretty major disease states, like high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes. Sometimes, that ten pounds is the difference between having to be treated with medication and getting to stay out of the drug store every month.
Exercise is key, because not only does it help keep the pounds off, it keeps your muscles, especially your most important muscle ... your heart... functioning at peak performance. You don't have to have a personal trainer to start exercising. Just taking the first steps out of your front door and down the road for a short walk every day is a good place to start. Even if you can only do this for thirty minutes, three days a week, you are on the right road to better health.
There are plenty opportunities to help you get fit and healthy this month.
Scale Back Alabama kicks off on Jan 17. This program is a campaign sponsored by the Alabama Hospital Association, the Alabama Department of Public Health, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. Marking it's seventh year, Scale Back Alabama is a fun weight-loss contest designed to help the people of our state get healthier. Teams of four "compete" to lose the most weight for a chance to win a cash prize. The best thing, is that everyone who competes is a winner, learning healthier habits and making an effort to be healthier! Troy Regional Medical Center is a state weigh-in site and will be participating in this program again this year. Some of our own employees will be forming teams to compete. For more information, visit http://www.scalebackalabama.com . We will also be pumping out more information as the kick-off date gets closer. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter pages for more info!
Exercising can be fun -- and torturous, depending on who you ask! One of the latest mechanisms of torture that everyone seems to love is Crossfit! It's a new way of training that has caught on like wildfire here in Troy. As much as people moan about how hard it is -- they all seem to love it! And come back for more! So obviously, there must be something to it. Justin Rolling, our Clinics Manager, can tell you all about it! He and his wife will give a demonstration for our ladies at the Female Factor next month!
There are also other (less torturous) forms of exercise. Our very own Dr Phylecya Cheatham has been an advocate for health for years now. She encourages her own patients to live healthy lifestyles, but takes that one step further -- she models it. She leads exercise classes, like Zumba. She definitely doesn't just talk the talk. She walks the walk, too.
Listen to her here tell about how you can begin your healthy journey.
Eating right may not seem to be the easiest part of the journey -- but there are tons of great resources and great recipes out there. A lot of them are kid-friendly, so even the kiddos won't mind the healthier eating. Here are a few of our current favorites:
Old-Fashioned Spaghetti and Meatballs
Almond Crusted Chicken Fingers
Oven-Baked Crispy Chicken
Hamburger Buddy
English Muffin Pizzas
There are many ways to get healthier, but the key is support. You need the tools to help you begin, but you also need support from family and friends. Sometimes, you might be the only one in your family that's decided to start this journey. It's hard to do that alone, but don't let that stop you. Be the example for your family, especially if you have young children. They need you to be a healthy example for them so that they, too, can enjoy a full lifetime of health. Seek out someone who can offer advice, support, or just encouragement on your journey. You'll find that, like anything, it gets easier the more you work at it. And soon...the healthier you will be it's own motivation and you won't want to stop the journey.
Good luck on your journey to a healthier you AND Happy New You!!
Some great links for your "New You" journey:
Scale Back Alabama
American Heart Association
American Diabetes Association
CDC Healthy Weight site
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Eat Right website
Do you have some great links or recipes or tips to share?
Email them to beth.bell@troymedicalcenter.com and we'll share them with everyone!
