 |
Stop Making Excuses…..
One Life, One Body
It is a fact, lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet can kill you. Women generally seem to put themselves last, concentrating on the children and family needs before their own. I would like to inspire you to understand that you must take care of yourself so that you can remain healthy and full of energy to take care of others in your life.
The latest recommendations from the American Heart Association declare that nearly all American women are in danger of heart disease or stroke and should be more aggressive about lowering their risk factors. The guidelines advise daily exercise and less fat in your daily diet among other recommendations. They also advise keeping your BMI under 25.
BMI stands for body mass index. BMI is derived from a mathematical equation based on your height and weight. It is a determining factor to see if your weight is in proportion to your height. It does not measure body fat but is a reliable alternative in determining weight categories that may lead to health problems. I also recently read that an insurance company will offer a 20% discount on life insurance policies to customers who keep their BMI between 19 and 25.
Phoenix Cos. Inc. is offering this to their customers who maintain this range after 5 years. The bottom line is your weight will affect your health and the doctors and researchers know this. Carrying excess weight around over the course of years affects your body and can cause chronic disease.
We as Americans must take responsibility for our health and be aggressive in taking steps to prevent being overweight or obese for ourselves, our children and our loved ones.
We are a culture obsessed with dieting and the aesthetic beauty; however we must shift our approach. Eating healthy and exercising must be seen as a way to maintain health and function as we age.
I emphasize a healthy lifestyle, which consist of making healthy food choices for a lifetime and incorporating daily exercise and activity into your life. I made this choice back in 1997 when my daughter was only 6 months old.
I decided that I wanted to be healthy and energetic for her. This resulted in a 100 pound weight loss and a new career. This past weekend we took her (now 10 years old) and our other daughter who is 6 years old on their first snow skiing trip. They did great and loved it. Our family is very active because I made that choice so many years ago.
We go on hikes, rollerblading, bike riding, wakeboarding, tubing, skiing at the lake and now at the mountains. My daughters also participate in dance, cheerleading and soccer. I made a choice for myself but my family is the one who has received the greatest blessings and benefits.
The activities we participate in keep us strong, healthy, energetic, build self-confidence and bond us as a family. I hope this will inspire you to get healthy, stay healthy and ultimately influence those around you.
If you would like to know your BMI, you may go to cdc.gov and do a search for body mass index. This is the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions website.
It will allow you to calculate your BMI. There are plenty of excuses that can be made, but stop making them and take control of your body. Remember you may need to check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.
Amy Adams an ACE Certified Personal Trainer (American Council on Exercise). She is also the owner of Bodies In Progress – A Women’s Fitness Center with locations in Burlington, NC and Graham, NC. You may email her any questions at bodiesinprogress@aol.com.
|
|
