REALTY
CHECK...WHERE DO YOU STAND? ACTIVITY & EATING
LINKING TOGETHER FOR OPTIMAL HEALTH AND FITNESS!
There is a powerful link
between your activity level and eating habits. By making healthy
food choices and becoming more physically active, you can feel
better, improve your health, and achieve
and maintain a healthy weight.
Think about your life
style choices by answering the following questions:
If you answeredNO to most
of these questions, you are on the right track for achieving optimal
health and fitness---keep up the good work!
If you answeredYES
to more than two of the above questions, it may be time to make
some lifestyle changes that can improve your health and quality
of life. You are not alone!
At
any given time, about 25% of men and 40% of women will tell
you they are trying to lose weight.
Only 22% of U.S. adults
participate in recommended physical activity.
The average American spends
23 hours a week watching television. (that is almost ten years
over the average lifespan!)
The struggle to lose weight and eat better is
very common. Yet, it can be easier then you think to overcome
obstacles to good nutrition and physical fitness.Small changes in your activity
level and food choices can yield big results over time.
The information and goal-setting strategies in
this website will get you started. It will help you understand:
The value of healthy food
choices.
The importance of daily
physical activity for optimal health.
Remember
be realistic…small steps work best.
Be
active…get moving!
Do you know what physical activity can
do for you? It can:
Give you more stamina
and energy
Reduce stress and improve
sleep
Help you lose body fat
and keep it off
Increase strength by building
muscle
Reduce your risk of chronic
disease such as heart
disease and diabetes
Lower higher blood pressure
Keep bones healthy at
all ages
If you are already physically
active, keep
up the good work!
Start with 30 minutes
a day.
Starting with 30 minutes a day and working your way up to 60 minutes
will help you enjoy the full benefits of an active lifestyle.
Can't fit a 30-minute chunk of time
into your day? That's okay. Aim for a total of at least
thirty minutes, accumulated in three 10-minute sessions. Low Intensity
activities, such as climbing stairs and house cleaning, count
too!
What kinds of activities
are beneficial? Identify which activities work best for you, they will
all count toward your goals.
Building muscle!
If you are trying to lose weight resistance in your routine to
help you meet your goals more quickly. Act-
activities like weights, push-ups, or yoga build more muscle mass.
Which burn more calories--even while you are Resting.
What
about food choices? Be sensible…all foods fit!
Start your day with
breakfast!
Breakfast gives you the energy to get you going after a long night
without food. In addition, people who skip breakfast tend to weigh
more then people who eat breakfast.
Choose foods from all food groups!
Use the food guide pyramid as a tool to help you get all the essential
nutrients needed to promote optimal health and well being. Each
food group make a unique contribution to a healthy diet so try
to include choices each day from all of the groups.
You do not have to completely
give up your favorite foods to eat healthy. You just have to
pay attention to how much of them you eat.
Make your plate colorful by
eating a variety of fruits and vegetables every day.
Are
you getting enough physical activity?
Step 1: complete
the chart below by writing down the physical activities you usually
do during the week and weekends. These might range from walking,
biking and gardening to swimming or aerobics class.
REALTY
CHECK...WHERE DO YOU STAND?
What
about food choices? Be sensible…all foods fit!
Be
active…get moving!
