1. Live smoke-free. For a person who smokes, quitting can seem like an insurmountable task, but it is the number one thing you can do to improve your heart health. Smoking is a major cause of cardiovascular disease and according to the CDC, causes one of every four deaths from the disease. Smoking can…

• Raise triglycerides (a type of fat in your blood)
• Lower “good” cholesterol (HDL)
• Make blood sticky and more likely to clot, which can block blood flow to the heart and brain
• Damage cells that line the blood vessels
• Increase the buildup of plaque (fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances) in blood vessels
• Cause thickening and narrowing of blood vessels

2. Monitor your blood pressure. Aiming for a blood pressure under 120/80 mm Hg can decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease. Continuous high blood pressure can damage your arteries by making them less elastic, which decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart. Following a heart-healthy diet and exercising regularly can help maintain a healthy blood pressure. Talk to your doctor if you think your blood pressure is concerning.
3. Maintain a healthy body weight. Having a high body weight can be a contributing factor to cardiovascular disease. Being overweight can lead to fatty material building up in your arteries. When those arteries get clogged, it can lead to a heart attack. A healthy diet and regular cardiovascular exercises, as well as strength training, can help maintain a healthy weight.
4. Get active! The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 150 minutes of moderate activity (like brisk walking) per week. Another great goal would be to strive for 10,000 steps per day. Even simple activities like walking can have a tremendous positive impact on your health. Your heart is a muscle, and like any other muscle, needs exercise to get stronger!
5. Eat a heart-healthy diet. Make vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, and lean protein mealtime staples. Instead of focusing too much on what you must limit, focus on adding more of those heart-healthy foods into your everyday diet. Limiting sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar can also help maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle.

One of the biggest barriers to improving health and fitness is a lack of motivation. Most people just sit around waiting for motivation to strike like lightning. In some rare cases this might happen, but most of the time we will be left waiting and wondering when we will get our lives together. Often motivation only comes from seeing results. Once we see results, we are then enticed to continue the actions that got those results in the first place. So how do we see results in the first place? One option would be to hire a Personal Trainer. 

Show your body some love by taking these 7 steps to a healthier heart!

This recipe is super versatile, I have included the veggies I used but you can use whatever you have and like. Brussels sprouts, asparagus, mushrooms, and cauliflower are also great options!

A HOLIDAY E-GIFT FROM US TO YOU!

If you think starting a fitness regimen is hard, try keeping one going.  Life happens, routines get disrupted and fortunately, Milestone has been there to help me reset, restart and keep my fitness momentum going.

2019 is here and one word typically associated with the New Year is resolution. Resolution by
definition is “a firm decision to do or not to do something; the action of solving a problem, dispute,
or contentious matter.” Resolution comes off to me as something that is started but not usually
stuck with. With the turn of a new year, I like to set new goals not resolutions. Habits, not quick
fixes.

Why Kids Yoga?

Now that the holidays are here and your kids are home, the gym might be your last priority.  Being a mom of two, I fully understand the challenges that the holidays bring.  However, don’t worry, you can still get a worthwhile workout in a small amount of time.  Considering, here are a few exercises that you can do at home that will help keep you in shape, keep you healthy and motivated to keep working towards your personal goals!

The holidays are approaching and times are getting busier by the day.  So how do you plan to keep your workout schedule on track through the holidays, instead of pushing your fitness goals off to the start of the New Year?