Have you thought about making your New Year resolutions yet, or are you still searching for some ideas? Why not make a resolution this year that will benefit your hearth health?
10 Great Ideas to Help Kick Off a Heart Healthier year...
Get your 30 a day
Try to do at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on 5 days or more a week. You could break it down to three lots of 10 minute bouts, or two lots of 15 minutes, and fit them in where you can.
Kick the habit
Give up smoking; it is one of the major risk factors for coronary heart disease. By a year after you have stopped smoking, your risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.
Lose the Christmas pounds
January is a good time to lose those extra pounds that were piled on during the festive period. Switch to a well-balanced diet that is low in fat and high in fruit and vegetables, combined with plenty of physical activity.
Give the salt the shake off
Stop using salt at the table and try adding less to your cooking, or even better cut it out completely from your cooking. It may take a little getting used to, but by the end of January your taste buds will have adapted and your blood pressure will lower.
Grab 5
Up your intake of fruit and vegetables and help get your 5-a-day. Try adding some dried fruit to your cereal in the morning or adding extra vegetables to pasta sauces, curries, casseroles, etc.
Walk off stress
If things are getting too much, go for a walk to reduce stress levels and help reach your 30 a day at the same time.
Cut the saturated fat
Make small changes to your diet, like switching from full fat milk to skimmed or semi-skimmed milk, choosing leaner cuts of meat, or steaming or grilling foods rather then frying in lots of oil.
Check out the food label
Get in the habit of checking the label on food packets when out shopping. The information will help you understand what is in the food you are buying and to make healthier food choices.
Cut back on empty calories
Alcohol is packed with calories, with a unit of alcohol containing around 100 calories! So cut back on your intake and give you body a rest after the festive celebrations.
