At one time heart disease was a concern for men alone, this is not the case anymore. Heart disease is now the number one killer of women and kills more women than all cancers combined.Not only does heart disease kill women but it is a major cause of disability. The statistics are indeed scary but on the bright side it is also one of the most preventable diseases if we just take action. One of the largest money making machines is the diet industry. At some point women need to stop being concerned about dieting in order to fit into there favorite “skinny” jeans and start making life style changes to protect their health.
Obesity and inactivity are two of the major risk factors for heart disease and also lead to two additional risk factors those being high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The amount of activity that is required per day is such a small amount when we are considering something as important as our quality and quantity of life.
The amounts of exercise needed vary depending on the intensity of the activity in which you engage. If you enjoy a nice walk or easy yard work then an hour of this activity is sufficient to get the benefits necessary for good heart health. If you are a little more adventurous and feel like taking a brisk walk, dancing or going for a swim then only 30 minutes is necessary. If you are really motivated and partake in a good game of basketball, aerobics or jogging then only 20 minutes per day will give the advantages you are looking for to keep your heart healthy.
The difference between inactivity and an active life style does not have to cause a huge disruption in your families day to day routines. Dancing in the living room with the kids to their choice of music is fun, easy and costs no money but over time will add benefits to your health. Engage the family in a walk around the neighborhood or go outside and play Frisbee. As you take small steps to include activity into your lives the whole family will benefit and with a little effort and commitment it will become a way of life.
When one person in the family unit decides to add activity to their lives the rest begin to follow. Another phenomenon is that when people become active they also naturally start reaching for healthier food choices because they are feeling good about what they are doing. Taking small steps and making changes over time will ensure that everyone is on board and it becomes a way of life. This gives your kids a healthy foundation to build on as they become independent adults themselves and will help ensure that you will be around to see them.
