Weight Loss for Healthy Living

Obesity is serious health concern. It adds stress to the heart, bones, and muscles. and increases the risk for high blood pressure, stroke, varicose veins, breast cancer, and gallbladder disease .

Overeating, an unhealthy diet, and a lack of physical activity can lead to obesity. Your family history also plays a role.

DIET - As a general rule, you should choose foods that are low in saturated and trans fat, and low in cholesterol. Also limit your intake of sugar, salt (sodium), and alcohol. Eat more fiber, which can be found in fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grain products, and nuts.

Dental Health

Good dental hygiene is essential in preserving your teeth for a lifetime. It is important for children to start young with good dental habits. Proper hygiene should include:

• Daily flossing and twice-daily brushing of the teeth
• Use of fluoride toothpaste
• Regular dental checkups
• Limiting sugar intake
• Using a toothbrush with soft bristles (replace the toothbrush with a new one as soon as the bristles become bent)
• Having the dentist instruct you on proper brushing and flossing techniques
• Being aware that "tartar-controlled" toothpastes have little or no effect on tartar below the gum line and, therefore, will not provide a safeguard against gum disease

Factors Affecting your Health

Many factors affect your health. Some you cannot control, such as your genetic makeup or your age. But you can make changes to your lifestyle. By taking steps toward healthy living, you can help reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke and other serious diseases. For example,

• See your doctor for regular screenings, not just when you are sick
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Eat a variety of healthy foods, and limit calories and saturated fat
• Be physically active
• Control your blood pressure and cholesterol
• Quit smoking
• Protect yourself from too much sun

Exercise and Physical Fitness

There are 1,440 minutes in every day. Schedule 30 of them for physical activity!

Regular exercise is a critical part of staying healthy. People who are active live longer and feel better. Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight. It can delay or prevent diabetes, some cancers and heart problems.

Most adults need at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five days per week. Examples include walking briskly, mowing the lawn, dancing, swimming for recreation or bicycling. Stretching and weight training can also strengthen your body and improve your fitness level.

The key is to find the right exercise for you. If it is fun, you are more likely to stay motivated. You may want to walk with a friend, join a class or plan a group bike ride. If you've been inactive for awhile, use a sensible approach and start out slowly.

Women's Health Checkup

Regular health exams and tests can help find problems before they start. They also can help find problems early, when your chances for treatment are better. As a woman, you need some special exams and screenings . During your checkup, your health care provider will usually do:

• A pelvic exam—an exam to check if internal female organs are normal by feeling their shape and size.
• A Pap test—a test to check for cancer of the cervix, the opening to a woman’s uterus. Cells from the cervix are prepared so they can be seen under a microscope.
• A clinical breast exam— to check for breast cancer by feeling and looking at your breasts.

Your health care provider may also recommend other tests, including a mammogram or a test for HPV.

Mental Health

Mental health is how we think, feel and act as we cope with life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices. Like physical health, mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Staying mentally healthy is not always easy, especially during tough times. Here are some tips that can help:

• Get support from family and friends
• Find time to take care of yourself and relax
• Have a healthy lifestyle, with regular exercise

It is also important to recognize when you may need help from a professional. Mental disorders are common, but treatments are available.