Try to take time for yourself. Every day. This is a stressful time for many and stress raises blood pressure, blood sugar and even cholesterol. Stress also makes us naturally less attendant to making good dietary choices. A great way to kill two birds with one stone is to relegate stress reduction by exercise. You don’t need to break a sweat every time – even going for a short walk can make all the difference in the world. Take that walk every day.
Make it easier to eat better by making sure you’re well stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables at home. Fill the fruit bowl and put it on the counter as a reminder to eat what your body really needs. Commit to having a piece of fresh fruit before every meal. Before you know it, you’ll be halfway to the recommended 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
Reduce alcohol intake by alternating every glass of alcohol with a glass of water. Use sparkling water with a slice of lemon or lime if you prefer bubbly drinks and need a bit of flavor. Alcohol is a big source of empty calories – and next day headaches -- and this strategy will reduce your alcohol and calorie intake by half, while improving hydration.
Keep guilt out of the equation. It’s a useless emotion. If you eat a less than perfect meal, move on and get back to your better dietary practices as quickly as possible.
Be focused on health not on weight. You’re in this to live longer and live healthier. Whenever you can, choose foods that support health. The rest will take care of itself.
At Preventive Cardiology Clinic, care begins with a conversation. We spend time with you to really learn about what symptoms you are experiencing, what your risk factors are, and what you hope to achieve in terms of your health. A typical first consultation with Dr. Klodas takes approximately one hour. During that time, we will go over your general health history, your heart history, your cardiac risk factors and your diet. Please call 952-929-5600 to schedule your consultation today. Learn more.