A year of wellness: tips 4 - 6

March 10, 4:04 PMSF Fitness ExaminerJeff McMullen

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Weekly, I’d like to offer those of you that frequent this site, some useful tips and practical bottom line ideas on what to do about dozens of health issues that shape your life. The advice on these tips will come from vast resources I encounter throughout my days, and even years, as I have been a fitness professional. I like to envision fitness as a gift and this is way for me to give back to the community that has served me so well.

Wellness means much more than the absence of sickness. It is a way of living that emphasizes such preventative measures as a eating a healthy diet, making exercise an enjoyable part of your life, and making self-care decisions that will actively improve the quality of your life. Wellness means reducing your risk of chronic disease, preventing and treating injuries, banishing environmental and safety hazards from your home and workplace, and eliminating unnecessary trips to the doctor – but making the best use of the health – care system when you need it. This is the philosophy of this posting piece.

The premise of wellness is that you can live a long, healthy, and active life. All you need is the desire to do so – and the right information on which to base your actions. Hopefully these tips will aid in keeping you on track throughout 2009! This information is not intended to provide medical advice on personal health matters, which should be obtained directly from a physician.

Tip 4: select foods rich in carotenoids, notably beta carotene. Research shows that these substances may play a vital role in preventing cancer. Their orange color tells you that carrots, sweet potatoes, and cantaloupe are excellent sources of beta carotene. But so are many dark leafy greens, such as collard greens, kale, and spinach.

Tip 5: all women need a regular schedule for Pap smears. You should have your first screening at age 18 or when you become sexually active, whichever occurs first. If tests are negative for three consecutive years, screening every three years is adequate.

Tip 6: walk to lose weight. A 200-pound person who starts walking a mile and a half a day and keeps on eating the same number of daily calories will lose, on average, 14 pounds in a year.