Health Motivation Online

Living well means that you are doing what you can to maintain good health and a high quality of life.  Feeling good, inside and out.  It is very hard to effect a change in your life if you don’t know what’s going on.  One of the biggest problems we struggle with today is maintaining a healthy weight.  Being overweight is the primary cause of many of the illnesses and diseases that are increasing daily.  Type 2 Diabetes, High cholesterol and Heart disease risks are all increased by additional weight.  As a first step in changing your quality of life you will find information on knowing your numbers.  The more you know the more motivated you will become.  May you live in the best of health.

Do you know your heart numbers?

WebMD.com says…

“We live our lives by the numbers: phone numbers, PIN numbers, stock market numbers.  But do you know the heart health numbers that could literally save your life? There are three key numbers you need — including one surprisingly easy one that could give you a lifesaving preview of your cardiac risk.

1. Your blood pressure
2. Your cholesterol levels
3. Your waist size

Healthy numbers mean a healthy heart. If you follow a healthy lifestyle — eat a balanced diet, get regular exercise, and avoid smoking — you can even turn bad numbers around.”

It’s never too late to become a healthier you

Biggestloser.com says…

“It’s always a struggle to keep the weight off and stay healthy. It’s even more difficult to stay motivated when you move from one diet and exercise program to the next without a clear way to measure your progress.

 Know Your Number HealthScore™ not only gives you an accurate view of your current health, it enables you to gauge your progress through follow-up testing, inspiring you to reach your goals.

• Access the exact same wellness tool provided contestants on The Biggest Loser® and begin tracking your success.
• Conduct your self-assessment at home or under the supervision of your doctor.
• Learn your Inner Age™, your biological age based on current health factors, and your risk of developing three of the most common yet preventable diseases.

The engine behind the Know Your Number HealthScore is more than just an online survey or a list of statistics. It’s a patented assessment tool developed by leading medical experts and trusted by doctors to give you a comprehensive roadmap to better health.

Get on the right track today. Let the Know Your Number HealthScore help you measure your success toward living a healthier, fuller life.”

Learning more about your heart

Heart.org says…

“A healthy diet and lifestyle are your best weapons to fight cardiovascular disease. It’s not as hard as you may think!  Remember, it’s the overall pattern of your choices that counts. Make the simple steps below part of your life for long-term benefits to your health and your heart.

Use up at least as many calories as you take in.   

Start by knowing how many calories you should be eating and drinking to maintain your weight. Don’t eat more calories than you know you can burn up every day. Increase the amount and intensity of your physical activity to match the number of calories you take in. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week or — best of all — at least 30 minutes every day.  Regular physical activity can help you maintain your weight, keep off weight that you lose and help you reach physical and cardiovascular fitness. If you can’t do at least 30 minutes at one time, you can add up 10-minute sessions throughout the day.”

Learn more about Diabetes

diabetes.org says…

“Diabetes mellitus (MEL-ih-tus), or simply, diabetes, is a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body’s ability to produce and/or use insulin.

Not sure what that means? This is the place to find out. We’ve covered all the basics here—and you’ll find plenty of links to more in-depth information on a variety of topics and issues.”

Assessing your BMI

cdc.gov says…

“What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height. BMI is a fairly reliable indicator of body fatness for most people. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI correlates to direct measures of body fat, such as underwater weighing and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).^{1, 2} BMI can be considered an alternative for direct measures of body fat. Additionally, BMI is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of screening for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

How is the BMI used?

BMI is used as a screening tool to identify possible weight problems for adults. However, BMI is not a diagnostic tool. For example, a person may have a high BMI. However, to determine if excess weight is a health risk, a healthcare provider would need to perform further assessments. These assessments might include skinfold thickness measurements, evaluations of diet, physical activity, family history, and other appropriate health screenings.”

Cholesterol Health Check

WebMD.com says…

“Do you have high cholesterol, also known as hypercholesterolemia? Abnormal cholesterol levels such as high LDL cholesterol or low HDL cholesterol are a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. An unhealthy diet can cause high cholesterol. Sometimes high cholesterol runs in families. A low-cholesterol diet can help improve cholesterol levels. If the low-cholesterol diet does not work to lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe medications.”