Having a healthy heart is more than just an idealistic notion; it’s a necessity in a world where heart disease is a top killer among male and female adults. While this disease can strike without warning, there are ways to mitigate your risk factors for declining heart health. Many of these habits are prudent to develop for an overall healthy-lifestyle, despite the fact that for many, they are much easier said than done. Consider embarking on the path to solid heart health, from utilizing arginine supplements to working more activities into your day, to ensure a long and lasting quality of life.
Step 1 - Get an assessment
of your current health status
This is key because before you start to change your eating habits or embark on an exercise regimen, you need to ensure that your heart can withstand the changes and that you are cleared health-wise before doing so. This is important in taking nutritional enhancements as well. Get a physical, so that you have a starting point. If losing weight is part of your heart health quest, then you can also use your current weight from your doctor’s visit as a starting benchmark.
Step 2 - Assess your diet
and start to make changes
This is 80% of the battle when you are trying to lose weight and become more heart healthy. Start by making small changes; substitute fatty meats with lean proteins; and eat veggies and fruits where you might normally snack on processed junk food. Then, make bolder changes, such as learning to eat small portions more frequently over larger meals more infrequently. Think of food as fuel; your body needs the best fuel you can give it to perform optimally. As a rule of thumb, the more whole foods you can incorporate into your diet, the more healthy your heart will be. Additionally, avoid eating portions of meat bigger than a deck of cards and replace bad fatty foods – such as sugary snacks and soda – with water and healthy fats, such as nuts.
This is 80% of the battle when you are trying to lose weight and become more heart healthy. Start by making small changes; substitute fatty meats with lean proteins; and eat veggies and fruits where you might normally snack on processed junk food. Then, make bolder changes, such as learning to eat small portions more frequently over larger meals more infrequently. Think of food as fuel; your body needs the best fuel you can give it to perform optimally. As a rule of thumb, the more whole foods you can incorporate into your diet, the more healthy your heart will be. Additionally, avoid eating portions of meat bigger than a deck of cards and replace bad fatty foods – such as sugary snacks and soda – with water and healthy fats, such as nuts.
Step 3 - Let supplements
help you do the work
There are so many great supplements currently in the market to help towards your quest for better overall health. Arginine supplements promote weight loss and heart health, as well as help with a number of other health-related issues. You also want to incorporate Omega-3 supplements into your daily regimen, in addition to vitamins B complex and C. Doing this will not only enhance heart health, but make you feel better overall.
There are so many great supplements currently in the market to help towards your quest for better overall health. Arginine supplements promote weight loss and heart health, as well as help with a number of other health-related issues. You also want to incorporate Omega-3 supplements into your daily regimen, in addition to vitamins B complex and C. Doing this will not only enhance heart health, but make you feel better overall.
Step 4 - Get active
No one expects you to run a marathon out the gate or because you start eating right that you are suddenly fit. Like everything, practice makes perfect here. Start out slow; even 15 minutes of cardiovascular exercise can make all the difference. You can even break up your workouts during the day if time constraints are an issue or you just don’t feel motivated to do so much at one time. The point is that you get moving as much as you can. Take the steps instead of the elevator, park far away from the door at the grocery store and take a walk around the block upon arriving home from work. Work yourself up to larger increments as you feel comfortable. Do this four to five times a week, at least, and your heart will be all the healthier for it. The more active you are, the better you will feel and the healthier your heart will be.
No one expects you to run a marathon out the gate or because you start eating right that you are suddenly fit. Like everything, practice makes perfect here. Start out slow; even 15 minutes of cardiovascular exercise can make all the difference. You can even break up your workouts during the day if time constraints are an issue or you just don’t feel motivated to do so much at one time. The point is that you get moving as much as you can. Take the steps instead of the elevator, park far away from the door at the grocery store and take a walk around the block upon arriving home from work. Work yourself up to larger increments as you feel comfortable. Do this four to five times a week, at least, and your heart will be all the healthier for it. The more active you are, the better you will feel and the healthier your heart will be.
Disclaimer: This article is contributed by a Guest Blogger. Ping of Health does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this article. Ping of Health disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
