As many of you know, my daddy (aka Hamez) had a light heart attack (or so they thought initially; he didn’t) this past weekend. He’s been having issues with his heart for a while, and he also has high blood pressure. And not only is he no spring chicken (he’s 62), he also works in a plant where’s he’s been working for the past 40 or so years, and lately he’s been working 10 hour days, seven days a week. And on top of all that, he doesn’t get much exercise, doesn’t eat well, and puts salt on everything– even a McDonald’s hamburger (I kid you not).
Anyhoo, my point is that this situation was kind of a wake up call for me in regards to my own health. I usually work out a couple of days a week, I drink a good bit of water, but I don’t eat healthily. Yes, I’m thin, but thin doesn’t necessarily equal healthy. So, for real, for real, I’m going to start really taking care of me by eating betterand exercising a lot more. I want to live long, and I want to feel and look good while doing it.
If you’re interested in improving yourself, too, here are some things you can do today (from Amy Dubois Barnett):
Schedule medical checkups. You might feel fine, but you need to know for sure that you are. Make an appointment to receive a general physical, ob-gyn exam, an eye exam with an opthamologist, and visit the dentist. When you go, be sure you have questions and knowledge of your family’s health history. Additionally, tell the truth about everything they ask, and don’t let the doctor rush you out of the office until you have all the answers you need.
Get rid of bad body image. I know, many people have things about their bodies they aren’t fond of, but that’s no reason to beat yourself up about it. Always accentuate your assets and stop stressing so much about the rest.
Begin eating better. Some things to try: Begin your day with a quick fruit smoothie (Amy’s recipe: Throw a banana, some berries and a little yogurt or skim milk together in a blender; add whey protein for a long-lasting burst of energy); put some broccoli and carrots into a salad at lunch, and don’t go overboard with dressing; prepare some black beans and green and red peppers as a yummy side dish for dinner.
Check your breasts. If it’s that time of the month, wait a week. Just make sure you get in the habit of giving yourself montly self-exams. Vist BreastCancer.org to find out how to do it.
Drink (more) water. I’m sure you’ve heard– health experts recommend drinking eight to ten eight-ounce glasses per day. Drinking this much water will help you feel full, and you’re less likely to overeat. Also, staying hydrated is key when it comes to clear skin and even healthy hair.
Don’t go overboard at the gym. If you run on the treadmill for an hour, then take three aerobic classes, you’ll be in a lot of pain, and you probably won’t ever want to see a gym again. It’s okay to challenge yourself, but start slowly. Try do a little aerobics, weight training and stretching each week.
Don’t skip meals. If you’re not a breakfast person, become one. Why? You’ll be less likely to overeat at other meals if you start your day with something healthy. Also, the more you skip meals, the slower your metabolism gets as it tries to compensate for the calories your body isn’t receiving when it needs them.
Source: Get Yours! How to Have Everything You Ever Dreamed Of and More
