Give a special Valentine this year–better health!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
On this day when we remind our loved ones how much we care for them–sharing cards, flowers, jewelry and chocolate–I hope you will consider another very special gift to share …
The gift of healthier lifestyle choices!
This doesn’t mean you can’t eat any of your chocolate, but I’m hoping you will choose to develop long term habits that will lead you to a longer and healthier life. Isn’t that an awesome gift for your family?
Many of our health problems as adults are caused by poor choices–too much or not enough of something. For example, these lifestyle behaviors can contribute to poor health:
- Too much unhealthy food–fast food, fried foods, processed foods, sodas (including diet versions), other sweetened beverages, high fat and sugar snacks
- Not enough fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins or water
- Not enough regular physical activity
- Not enough sleep
So…how about giving your loved ones the gift of your better health? This could be the best and most memorable gift you’ve given your family. AND…even better, you’ll be a positive role model for your loved ones. They can see how healthier choices affect your well-being–more energy, less sickness, less chronic disease, a healthier weight and better mental health. By your good example, you can impact your family to make healthier choices.
Here are five ways to begin:
- Exercise 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week (walking counts!)
- Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables daily (prepared in a healthy way–french fries aren’t a healthy vegetable).
- Reduce or eliminate all sodas or sweetened beverages–drink more water!
- Reduce or eliminate added sugar and sodium.
- Choose lean proteins (fish, nuts, beans and other plant based proteins).
You’ve probably heard all these suggestions before. You may have tried to change your lifestyle and failed. But, have you considered the benefits for your family? They want you to have a better quality of life–to be healthy, happy and with them for a long time. By choosing to make healthier choices, you are helping to make their wish a real possibility.
Your family will be blessed by your decision to seek better health.
If it seems overwhelming to attempt to alter so much at once, try making one change each week or every two weeks. Just remember to keep the first new habit in place as you add the next one. So, a possible strategy could be to start with adding more fruits and vegetables each day. If this is new for you, build up to five servings gradually and then try to maintain. Remember, fresh or frozen vegetables and fruits prepared in a healthy way (limiting added fat, sugar or sodium) are the best choices.
On the second week, add another healthy habit, while still keeping those nutritious fruits and vegetables as a daily part of your meals. Over a period of weeks, several new healthy behaviors can be added. Keep in mind that it takes three to four weeks to develop a lasting healthy habit. Please don’t be discouraged! I’d love to pray for you if you’ll let me know.
Regular physical activity is an essential habit for a healthy lifestyle. If you haven’t been exercising you should consult with your health care provider before beginning an exercise program. You may need to work up to 30 minutes per day over a period of several weeks. The important factor is to begin an exercise program and build up gradually and then maintain regular physical activity for a lifetime. Feel free to let me know if you’d like guidelines for setting up a walking program. You can send me a message on the contact tab.
One more key point–if you are already exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet and getting adequate rest, I’m so happy for you! Please keep in mind that you are a wonderful role model for family and friends. Please be an encourager and prayer partner for those who are trying to develop a healthier lifestyle.
Happy and Healthy Valentine’s Day!
(And enjoy your chocolate–just make it last a while–perhaps one piece each day?)
