Your future health is impacted by the actions you take today. Rick Black, PT, DPT, MS, corporate rehabilitation director, ProMedica, shares four ways that you can set yourself up for a healthier future:
- If you smoke, quit smoking. “If you’ve tried before and been unsuccessful, try again,” encourages Black. “Quitting smoking can have an incredibly positive impact on your life. Work with your health care provider to find a smoking cessation program that works for you.”
- Drink alcohol in moderation. Alcohol contains an excess number of calories that can have a major impact on your weight and overall health. Consider how many calories you are drinking, and try to cut back where you can.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Consume a variety of fruits, vegetables and lean proteins, and pay attention to your portion sizes. Avoid or limit foods and beverages that don’t provide nutrients to your body such as soda and sweets.
- Increase your physical activity. Seek out opportunities to move more. “If you have the opportunity to take a flight of stairs rather than taking an elevator, take the flight of stairs,” Black shares. Start small and build from there.
Once you get started, it can sometimes be hard to keep going. Black recommends utilizing a buddy system to help keep yourself accountable. Find someone you can share your goals with and work together to improve your health and well-being.
Keeping track of where you started and the progress you are making can also be beneficial. Black recommends keeping a journal of the actions you are taking on your health and well-being journey. This will help you see the progress you are making and give yourself the credit you deserve!
Learn more about what you can do now to set yourself up for a healthy future in this episode of Happily Ever After 40. The podcast, brought to you by ProMedica, explores the joys and challenges that many experience during midlife. Listen, subscribe and share, wherever you get your podcasts!
