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During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition and health. We are all unique with different bodies, goals, backgrounds and tastes!

Eating healthy does not have to be complicated! Choose nutritious foods that have vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients. We should plan to relieve mealtime stresses.

 

Put the power of regular physical activity to work for you

 

You know exercise is good for you, and that it is in your best interest to make this the year you start and/or maintain physical activity. But do you know how good getting 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week really is?

According to the Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health, it is found that regular physical activity:

• Reduces the risk of dying from heart disease
• Reduces the risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure and colon cancer
• Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety
• Helps control weight and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints
• Helps maintain function and preserve independence in older adults

If everyone put in 30 minutes of aerobic activity five times a week, it would cut the number of chronic diseases and health costs by almost half. So, if you are interested, but are not sure how to begin, it is best to start out by walking (or doing some other type of aerobic exercise) and then add strength training later. Good forms of aerobic exercise include walking, biking, swimming and jogging.

In addition to aerobic exercise, it is important to incorporate strength training into your program and imperative to do both because lifting weights not only builds your muscles, but also raises your metabolism, causing you to burn more calories.

Starting a program is one thing, but maintaining it is another matter entirely. Here are some things that you should consider when choosing and working a program:

• Find the right kind of exercise for you