Keep Your Heart Healthy
Charles Kassotis

Heart disease is the number one killer today. Men and women are
both likely to become victims. Men typically suffer more heart
attacks, but women’s can be deadlier, so it is important for
both genders to monitor their heart health by making a number of
simple lifestyle adjustments.

1.Eat smart. The American Heart Association and other health
organizations, as well, publish guidelines for sensible diets
that promote heart health. Get a copy at their website or ask
your doctor to recommend a diet for you. Typically, you should
try to limit your consumption of red meat to perhaps a few
ounces once or twice a week. Cook chicken and fish in casserole
dishes instead, and experiment with vegetable recipes to try new
and exciting variations. Don’t forget the raw veggies with
low-fat dip and fresh fruits for desserts or snacks.

2.Watch your fluid intake. Most of us don’t drink enough water
each day. Unless you have special medical restrictions, aim to
have eight glasses (eight ounces each) of water daily. In
addition, you can drink other beverages, but avoid sugary,
nutrition-less products like pop or sweetened fruit juice. One
or two cups of tea or coffee are probably all right, but keep in
mind that caffeine can dehydrate you and make you jittery, so
limit your intake.

3.Get daily exercise. Your doctor can recommend a hobby,
routine, or workout that will benefit your physique and health.
Walking at a moderate pace for 30 to 60 minutes daily is a great
way to incorporate aerobic activity in your lifestyle, tone
muscles, and enhance your metabolism. Your circulation will
thank you, too, as it becomes more efficient at pumping blood
through your body and breaking up plaque buildup in your
arteries, thus allowing your heart to pump more easily. Just be
sure to wear appropriate footwear and clothing, and don’t overdo
it. Let your doctor know if you experience shortness of breath
or painful limbs.

4.Learn to manage stress. Everyone experiences stressful
events throughout their day. From getting up late to missing the
train or having an argument with a family member, stress is all
around us. We just have to learn to keep conflict and
disappointments in check by reminding ourselves of the blessings
and joys that surround us, often unnoticed. You may want to keep
a journal to write about negative feelings instead of keeping
them bottled up inside, where they may eventually explode.

In addition, cultivate a good support group of friends, family
members, and social contacts. Get out and have fun. Meet new
people and discover new ideas. Life will become more enjoyable,
and your heart will benefit from your upbeat attitude. Consider
volunteering in your community to make a difference in the lives
of others. As you make new connections and continue to nurture
old ones, you will feel healthier and benefit from a positive
lifestyle.

About the author:

Get valuable information for your heart at The Heart Directory
at
http://www.heartdir.com

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There are a lot of people who are overweight. This did not happen overnight so those who think this can disappear in a flash should think again.

There are many ways that the person can use to get rid of those excess pounds. Although science has developed diet pills and some have developed diet programs, the best way to lose weight is still through exercise.

Exercise is the best because it builds the person’s endurance. As this develops, it also increases ones metabolism prompting one to burn more calories than before which results in weight loss.

Studies show that there are no known side effects when one decides to exercise. The worse that can happen to a person is straining a muscle for failing to stretch or by not giving the body enough time to recuperate before engaging in another session.

Teens dont have to spend much in order to lose weight. This is because there are some exercises that can be done at home. For instance, after stretching, the person can go for a walking or jogging early in the morning thus burning a few calories. Afterwards, the teen can do some push ups and sit ups to work on the upper body and the abs.

The other way that will cost a little will be by enrolling in a gym. Here, a fitness trainer can help the individual lose weight by coming up with a program that involves cardio-vascular and aerobic activity.

Warm up will be running for a few miles on the treadmill followed by some weight training using the various machines.

Teens who find it difficult to hire a trainer can make a workout after being taught how to use the equipment while those who have fun with many people around can join one of the classes being offered at the gym.

Some of the more popular group classes are aerobics, tae bo, Pilates and yoga. The person should just check what time the classes are held since this may be scheduled at different times of the day.

Those who are shy about being with other people but would still like to participate in a class can get the DVD version instead. There are a lot of these being sold in the video store or online which is just like being there and attending the real session.

One of the most important things to remember while exercising is to drink lots of water. People who fail to do this may suffer from heatstroke or dehydration which is also not good for someone who wants to lose weight.

Before engaging in any exercise, it is advisable to see a doctor. The mind may feel like it can do anything but if the body may say differently. The teen should just do things gradually at first and then pick up the pace with other exercises as time progresses.

Engaging in a sport is another form of exercise. Running down the court in a game of basketball or football may not seem like much but it still increases one’s heart rate and burns those calories.

These examples just show that there are many ways how a teen can lose weight. There are people out there who sometimes need a little push to get started.

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