It’s New Year’s resolution check-up time, and there’s good news: CT residents who made resolutions to improve their health will probably succeed. American Heart Association (AHA) research shows that about two-thirds of people will make good on health promises this year.
And for those who haven’t done their best yet, exercise physiologist Karen Zurn with the AHA offers a few tips. Hop out of bed a half-hour earlier to alleviate the morning rush in order to make time for a healthy breakfast. And, she says, exercise doesn’t have to mean a costly gym or new treadmill – simply being more active will improve heart health.
“You’ll see fewer trips to the doctor’s office and fewer medications in the long run, if you just make a conscious effort to get out there and start exercising, being active.”
Karen suggests that, when shopping for food, consider looking at products with the heart ‘check mark’ symbol on the label that indicates the food meets AHA guidelines for heart-healthy eating.
“It’s probably a little bit lower in salt, lower in fat, lower in sugar, so that people can make a conscious effort to pick something off the shelf where it’s easy to see on the label that it might be a little bit healthier choice.”
Karen also advises walking during work breaks and planning physical activities to take the place of some of the night’s TV couch time.
Full survey results are at: www.startwalkingnow.org.
