The arrival of fall signals back to a regular routine with work, school and families, so there may be no better time than right now to get more disciplined with the improvement of your health. Regardless of whether your aim is to lose weight, exercise regularly or eat a more balanced diet, here’s how you can ensure you meet your goals.
Start with your doctor – Before tackling any health-related goals, visit your doctor. Having that conversation may help you avoid missteps that could cause setbacks. It can also help you set realistic and healthy goals that you can achieve.
Ask the right questions – As part of your physical check-up, in addition to asking your doctor about your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, if you’re 55 years of age or older, also ask about a lesser known health condition called atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is an irregular heartbeat that mostly affects those over age 55 and can increase your risk of stroke by three to five times. For more information about AF and its link to stroke, visit StrokeAndAF.ca.
Get the right support – Whether it’s resizing your food portions or working your way off the couch, partner with the right professionals, such as your family doctor, a nutritionist or personal trainer, to develop a personalized plan that fits your lifestyle and will meet your goals.
Slow and steady – An overall goal of losing 40 pounds, for example can be daunting, but setting out to lose one pound a week is more manageable. So on your way to achieving your overall goal, set smaller goals that will allow you to see progress along the way, and realize that change is gradual and takes time.
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