Resolutions for a Healthy Lifestyle

Making a few small changes to your at-home care routine that can make a big difference in your health.

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Resolutions for a healthy lifestyle

You’ve resolved to live a more healthy lifestyle. But where do you start? The American Medical Association has some advice on the most important resolutions to make - and keep - for a healthy New Year.

“The start of another new year provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the past 12 months and look ahead to changes we can make today to improve our health tomorrow,” said AMA President-elect Ron Davis, M.D. “It is important that we develop healthy lifestyles and behaviours that we can carry with us throughout our lives.”

The AMA offers these resolutions:

Avoid Smoking

The leading preventable cause of death - as well as exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS). Released earlier this year, the U.S. Surgeon General reported that there is no risk-free level of exposure to SHS, and the California Environmental Protection Agency estimates that SHS kills 50,000 Americans each year.

Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables

As recommend by the USDA Food Guide Pyramid, eat about two cups of fruit and two to three cups of vegetables daily to reduce your risk of developing heart disease, cancer, stroke and high blood pressure.

Cut Back on Salt

Limit your salt intake to one teaspoon per day (if you are 50 years of age or older, cut back to about half a teaspoon per day) to help lower blood pressure and decrease your chances of getting heart disease or having a stroke.

Limit Fat in Your Diet

Eat a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and trans fats to reduce cholesterol levels and the risk of developing heart disease.

Check Cholesterol

Have your blood cholesterol checked regularly by your doctor and keep your cholesterol level under 200 mg/dl to reduce your risk of developing heart disease.

Reduce Amount of Soda You Drink

Per capita soft-drink consumption has increased by almost 500 percent over the past 50 years. Limit your consumption of regular soda pop and other sugar-sweetened drinks to help you avoid weight gain and obesity, and to also decrease tooth decay.

Check Blood Pressure

Have your blood pressure checked regularly by your doctor to help reduce your chances of heart attack or stroke. If you have high blood pressure, make sure that you keep your blood pressure under 140/90.

Get a Colonoscopy

If you are 50 or older, ask your doctor about getting a colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer to improve your chances of early detection.

Get a Mammogram

If you are a woman 40 years or older, get a mammogram every one to two years to help detect breast cancer early and if diagnosed, improve your chances for survival.

Protect Your Skin from the Sun

Use sunblock (with an SPF of at least 30) or protective clothing when you’re in sunlight for a prolonged period. If you frequently get a suntan or sunburn, have your doctor check your skin regularly to detect early signs of skin cancer.

“These resolutions are just a few of the things you can do to make positive, healthy lifestyle changes. In 2007, continue to look to the AMA for a wide range of health information and continue to turn to your physician for the highest quality of care for you and your family,” said Dr. Davis.

For more health advice, visit the American Medical Association at www.ama-assn.org.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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