Released March 24, 2009
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. -- What does thriving in challenging times mean to you in 2009 as it relates to health issues? One Web source defines thrive as "to grow or increase in bulk or stature; to grow vigorously or luxuriantly, to flourish."
Let's assume thriving means that we all need to work on becoming healthier so that we are able to do the things we want without getting out of breath.
How can we do that in challenging times? The Web definition of challenge that best applies here is "a difficult task, especially one that the person making the attempt finds more enjoyable because of that difficulty." Being healthy takes effort in 2009. We have so many demands on our time that we often feel we can't take the time to plan healthy meals, exercise or just relax. We are also bombarded with so much information that often contradicts itself, that we often do nothing rather than make wrong decisions.
The first step in your journey to a healthier 2009 might be to become better informed about health issues that are important to you. One way to do this is to assess your health and the health of your family. Are there any chronic conditions present in your family, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma or arthritis? Is anyone in your family overweight or obese? Many chronic conditions can be made worse if a person is overweight or obese.
Check with your health-care provider or visit a reputable Web site, such as http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/weight-and-health-risks, to calculate your body mass index. Knowing your BMI can help when making important health decisions.
After assessing the health issues in your family, take steps to educate yourself and family members about ways to improve health. For example, you know that consuming a diet high in fat and cholesterol is a risk factor for development of heart disease. Share this information with family members and help them make the necessary lifestyle changes to improve their health.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System has numerous publications on fat and cholesterol. HE-435, "Fats and Cholesterol," answers many of the questions people ask about fat, http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/H/HE-0435/. It talks about saturated and unsaturated fats and includes a list of common foods with their fat and cholesterol levels. HE-595, "Eating for Your Health," outlines simple breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks, http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/H/HE-0595/.
If you don't have Internet access at home to download these files, you can get copies of the publication at your county Extension office. ACES offices are located in every county in the state. You can also get health information from your public library.
ACES has community programs available to help you take healthier steps in your life, such as A New Leaf, Body Works, Alabama in Motion and Backyard GROWceries - Back to Basics Gardening. These programs are offered in many counties.
For more information about Extension health publications or programs, contact your county Extension office or visit our Web site at http://www.aces.edu.
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Contact: Donna R. Shanklin, (256) 737-9386
