It’s almost the New Year, which means you’re facing a brand-new start and an opportunity to get your life back on track with a resolution or two. Most people vow to lose those extra 10 pounds or to quit smoking in the New Year, but how about making a whole health commitment for 2007 that encompasses all the right steps you should be taking in order to live a healthier and happier life?
According to the American Medical Association (AMA), this approach should be embraced by seniors especially, who have to be even more health conscious than other age groups, for obvious reasons. The AMA’s president elect, Ron Davis, MD, summed it up best by saying that “The start of another new year provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the past 12 months and look ahead to changes we can make today to improve our health tomorrow. It is important that we develop healthy lifestyles and behaviors that we can carry with us throughout our lives.”
When coming up with your health resolutions for 2007, the AMA suggests you keep the following in mind:
– Quit Smoking: Make 2007 the year you finally give up the habit for good. Encourage your loved ones, too — secondhand smoke is just as bad for you.
– Reduce Your Fat Intake: Help get your weight, cholesterol, and heart health all in check by reducing the amount of bad fats (trans, saturated) you consume and upping the amount of good fats (omega-3, omega-6, fish and olive oil) instead. Your entire body will thank you for it!
– Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables: What can’t they do? By getting two cups of fruits and three cups of veggies every day, you help your body in myriad ways, from reducing your risk for cancer, heart disease, and stroke to lowering your weight and blood pressure. Plus they are delicious!
– Reduce Your Salt Intake: You’ve heard this from your doctor before: excess salt intake is dangerous for your health. By keeping it to under a half-teaspoon a day if you are over the age of 50, you can help reduce your chances of experiencing stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
– Get a Colonoscopy: Are you over 50? If you answered ‘yes,’ then it’s time to have this screening test done. Early detection of colon cancer, one of the most prevalent forms of the disease, can greatly increase your chances for survival.
– Give Up Sodas Already: Sweet, sugary sodas are all- around bad for your health. They promote obesity, high blood pressure, bone mass deterioration, and tooth decay. If you are craving sweet drinks, opt for a fruit drink or flavored herbal tea instead.
– Get a Mammogram: If you are female and over 40, then you should get a mammogram every one or two years to help screen for breast cancer. Again, early detection is key.
– Use Sunblock: No matter what your age, you need to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays. Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of the disease and one of the most preventable ones. Choose a sunscreen that’s at least SPF 30 and be sure to apply it to your kin if you are going to be outside for more than 10 minutes at a time.
By combining these resolutions, you can make 2007 your healthiest year yet! So get started and the best to your health in the New Year!
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Tags: Cholesterol, obesity
