In the New Year, Find it in Your Heart to Get Healthy!
As 2019 is drawing to a close, one health-related fact emerges that should make us seriously think about lifestyle changes we ought to be making in the New Year. According to an American Heart Association (AHA) reports in its online journal, Circulation, 94 percent of U.S. adults get a “poor” rating in heart health factors, including weight, physical activity, diet, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels. “Since heart disease is the leading cause of death in our country, these findings are certainly alarming,” says Matt Scott, Co-Founder and Master Wellness Coach at Lifestyle Fitness.
Additionally, the AHA reports that obesity continues to be the biggest contributor to the risk of heart disease, with 67 percent of American adults and nearly 32 percent of children clinically overweight or obese – and those numbers are constantly rising.
One explanation, the AHA says, is that in recent years the average calorie consumption went up by 22 percent in women and 10 percent in men, with most of the increase coming from unhealthy foods and large portion sizes.
“Millions of Americans are literally eating themselves into an early grave,” Scott notes. “Combine this poor nutrition with a sedentary lifestyle, and you have a recipe for disaster.”
In fact, AHA found that 33 percent of adults don’t engage in physical activity at all, and many more fall short of the recommended minimum of 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
What can we do to defy these statistics and improve our cardiovascular health?
“It’s really a no-brainer and certainly nothing that we haven’t heard before,” Scott points out. “The answer is simple: better-eating habits and a regular exercise program should be at the top of our New Year resolutions list.”
For example:
- Do your heart a favor and cut out (or at least drastically reduce) saturated fats, sugar, too much salt, as well as refined foods from your diet. Instead, focus on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, as well as low-fat dairy and lean protein.
- Make fitness an integral part of your daily life. The best way to make sure you stick with your exercise program is to find a physical activity that’s enjoyable and varied so it is fun rather than a chore.
“If you are like most people, you probably commit to making these lifestyle changes every year, but end up throwing in the towel pretty quickly,” Scott says. “However, in 2020 make it your absolute priority to keep these resolutions – no matter what!”
About Lifestyle Fitness Health & Wellness:
Lifestyle Fitness Health & Wellness is a full-service fitness facility located in Waterloo, Ne (close to 240th and Maple). LifeStyle Fitness was founded in 2019 in Waterloo, Nebraska to offer health and wellness programs to the local community and surrounding area. Lifestyle Fitness is a complete health and wellness facility offering a modern, technology incorporated, upscale fitness experience, in a clean, classy environment. Our facility concept embraces overall family health and wellness and is augmented by functional and youth athletic training programs. The facility features a full range of Cardio Equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, steppers and more. Free weights and machines. Wellness Coaching and Personal Training. We also offer a full range of group exercise classes including yoga, Zumba and our IMPACT Fitness LifeStyle program.
The Impact Fitness Lifestyle program (a/k/a IMPACT – Intense Mixed Performance Accelerated Cross Training) which incorporates all of the advanced training principles used by the fittest athletes and fitness models and combines it into a fun and productive group workout you can enjoy and see quick results from. The workouts are intense but are modified to meet the different needs of various fitness levels and abilities. Program details and client testimonials are available at: www.lifestylefitness.fit
About Matt Scott, Fitness Expert:
Matt is a Co-Founder and Certified Master Health and Wellness Coach. Coach Matt is passionate about fitness and has been a frequent contributor working with several media outlets on health and wellness.
In addition, Matt and wife Kristy founded the American Health and Fitness Institute, a nonprofit organization to raise awareness for childhood obesity and other fitness-related issues facing families in our community. Coach Matt can also be heard, as the host of the Best of Health Podcast! The show explores a wide range of issues relating to Health and Wellness. The format is fun and interactive with featured guests each week. Matt can be reached at matt@lifestylefit.net or 402-509-3181.
