Often times, you will see an article announcing that the number one killer of women is not breast cancer. It is heart disease. There is much emphasis placed on this today; however, men need to be just as aware of their heart health.
For many men, getting older and gaining weight seem to go hand in hand. Also, with the constraints of home, family, and work, eating right and working out often fall by the wayside. It does not have to be that way, though.
Incorporating a healthy diet and exercise regimen into your weekly routine is a gift you give yourself, but also a gift you give your family.
A Few Small Changes Go a Long Way.
Just like anything else, if you start out overzealous in your exercise regimen, chances are you will fall. Start your new heart healthy way slowly and gradually. When you see that you have made little successes, you will be more likely to proceed to workouts that are more complex.
The same thing goes for your diet. If you take everything you like completely out of your diet, you find yourself missing and focusing on all those things that you have denied yourself. Instead, start adding new and different heart healthy foods into your diet every day.
Diet and Nutrition.
Some men associate the word diet with a few carrot and celery sticks. By setting a goal of eating more nutritious foods, you will create a more positive connotation. “More nutritious foods” has a much nicer tone to it than the word “diet.”
Add a few new things every day to your nutritious eating goal. If you do not like something, try making it a different way. For example, some folks just cannot get used to the taste of oatmeal or quinoa. Adding honey to the quinoa or fresh fruit to the oatmeal will make it more appealing.
If you have never tried cranberries, nuts, almonds, seeds, flax or olive oil, now is a great time to experiment. Instead of butter on your bread, try using olive oil with some delicious herbs. Be creative and you will be adding new foods that are healthy into your routine before you know it.
Exercise.
One of the biggest complaints men have for exercise is that they do not have the time. However, if you let your family in on your new desire to bring exercise back into your life, you will more than likely find yourself with lots of enthusiasm and support, as well as plenty of company.
If you incorporate walking or bike riding into your family routine, do not be surprised to find the whole family joining you.
Many times, for men, a feeling of lack of support or aloneness may accompany a new-found desire to eat right and exercise. But once you let your family know that you are focused on having a healthy heart, they will not only cheer you in, but also probably join you.
