Weight and Nutritional Management
Happy New Year! If you're like most people, the New Year presents an opportunity to make some changes or "resolutions". Many people decide to focus on their health and lifestyle choices during this time. One of the most popular resolutions is to "lose weight" or "live healthier." Whether you're looking to lose weight, add nutrition to your diet, or ensure you're physically fit, paying attention to your weight and nutritional management is vital to living a healthier and happier life.
Add Exercise: One of the most important aspects of maintaining your weight and your health is through exercise.
- Hitting the Gym: Starting an exercise program in the cold month of January can be a struggle for many people, especially if they don't already have a gym membership. During such difficult economic times, affording a gym membership might seem impossible. Check with your employer to see if they have an established agreement with any local gyms, which may entitle you to a discount. GlobalFit.com is another resource which offers lower prices at various gyms throughout New Jersey-visit their website to determine eligibility.
- Get Fit at Home: Consider incorporating some home-exercises into your routine. Adding some basic stretches and core exercises in the morning is a good way to wake up your body and ease into exercise. There are also several fitness programs on television that offer a variety of at-home exercise options, many in 30-minute segments. Check your local listings.
- Discuss Exercise with Your Primary Care Physician: Before starting a new exercise routine, be sure to discuss it with your physician. The providers within Healthfirst NJ's network are well-equipped to assess your health and can offer helpful exercise guidelines and tips.
Obesity Awareness: Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, according to the Center for Disease Control. BMI is calculated from a person's weight and height and provides a reasonable indicator of body fat and weight categories that may lead to health problems. Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Take control of your health today-here's how:
- Healthfirst NJ Advantage Program: The Healthfirst NJ Advantage Program is available to women and men and offers various preventive health screenings and mental health services. Members will receive information on how to live a healthy and active lifestyle such as: educational material on women's and men's health issues; find out how to get screenings for various health conditions; and learn about the preventive guidelines they should follow to stay healthy.
- Diabetes Control for Life: Through this program, Healthfirst staff reaches out to members to provide education regarding the ADA's standards of care and to encourage members to go for a physical and for diabetes-related services. Reminder mailings are sent to encourage members to obtain diabetes-related services. Healthfirst NJ providers also personally reach out to members with diabetes to offer related services.
- Make Lunch for Your Kids: Childhood obesity is by far one of the most concerning and disconcerting obesity topics. As a parent, you must take an active role in your child's nutrition. Think about making your child's lunch instead of relying on school-purchased lunches, which can sometimes fail to meet a child's nutritional needs. Consider using leftovers from the previous night's dinner for your child's lunch-thereby saving money and increasing nutrition.
Healthy Heart in 2010
New Year's resolutions shouldn't only focus on losing weight or hitting the gym more often-complete health also means paying attention to what's going on inside your body. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in America, so if you're reevaluating your health in 2010, consider making your heart-health a priority.
- Heartwise Program: This Healthfirst NJ program focuses on the prevention of heart disease and community outreach about heart disease. For those who already have heart disease, our providers offer information about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating right, exercising, staying smoke-free and taking medications for high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Your physician can also advise on heart-healthy foods and practices to avoid heart disease.
- Healthy Nutrition = Healthy Heart: Your nutrition is one of the biggest contributing factors to your heart health. A diet filled with fruits and vegetables, whole grains, high in fiber, and low in cholesterol will help you maintain a healthy heart. Ask your physician for more heart-healthy diet tips!
