Would you rather have a healthy heart or a healthy weight?
Why not both?
Best urgent care physicians will tell you that, while not the easiest thing in the world to achieve, with a few minor diet and lifestyle changes and some perseverance, you can both lose weight and boost your heart health!
A healthy heart is ground zero for well-being. Your heart pumps blood to all of your vital organs, even your brain. When your heart isn’t functioning properly, the general physicians in Los Gatos will tell you that you can be at risk for not only heart attack and stroke but depression and lower brain function as well.
Follow the tips below if a healthy heart and weight are your goals:
Eat Healthy Food
The foundation of your healthy lifestyle is what you eat, so you’ll want to keep it healthy. Start by limiting the amount of saturated fat you eat. Ask your doctors at the Urgent Care Clinic in Los Gatos for an eating plan that includes healthy fats like fish, nuts, and avocados. Aim for plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Eating healthy does not mean boring!
Keep A Healthy Weight
A pretty sobering statistic says that 68 percent of adults in the US are overweight and 35 percent are obese. If you want a healthy heart, you have to have a healthy weight. This means keeping an eye on your macros: calories, fat, protein, and carbs. Discuss with your doctor what a healthy weight for you looks like and work on developing an eating plan that you can stick with.
Exercise
Work it baby! Don’t stop moving, and keep that heart working! If you want a strong heart and to maintain your weight loss, you have to keep active. Finding an activity that you enjoy is the best way to achieve fitness. Getting at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week is best. Try to get a combination of cardio and strength training if you really want to see the benefits.
Don’t Smoke
These days, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t smoke, but a lot of people don’t realize that second hand smoke is just as dangerous to be around. Smoking causes damage to not only your lungs, but it also damages the arteries that lead to the heart. There are many smoking cessation programs available. Talk to your family physician to find the best one for you.
Keep Alcohol Consumption Moderate
A drink on occasion isn’t going to cause problems, but it is important to keep your alcohol consumption in the moderate range. Too much alcohol can cause high blood pressure and high blood pressure can negatively affect your heart. The American Heart Association says that one drink a day for women and two for men is moderate.
Manage Your Stress
Studies show that there is a connection between stress and heart disease which is why it’s imperative to find healthy outlets for alleviating stress. Exercise is important but there are other ways to relieve stress and tension as well. Watching a funny movie with a friend, giving and getting hugs from loved ones, meditation and yoga are all excellent ways to relax.
Talk to your family physician to come up with a plan to keep your heart and weight healthy!