Take care of yourself

I live a fit lifestyle, no big secret there.. Exercise is an important part of my life. I recently visited the doctor and learned that I have some irregularities with my heart and was sent to a specialist. I also learned that my hypertension is way out of control and I was walking around with dangerously High blood pressure. Since I don't use salt, smoke, have bad eating habits and exercise regularly I had to revisit stress triggers in my life. I have always been able to manage my blood pressure without medication in the past.

 

 Losing weight and being healthy isn't just about exercising. Although exercise is an important factor, emotional health is just as important. There is a reason we struggle sometimes with the food part of losing weight . A lot of time it has a lot to do with emotional issues that trigger cravings or bingeing. It is so important to have that spiritual ,emotional, and physical balance. More so as women, because we don't usually take time to focus on ourselves because we are natural caretakers. Hypertension is known as the silent killer (scary) and is the number one killer in women.

To help find that balance make sure you get physicals every year. Exercise regularly and eat right, find things to do that combat stress and make you happy, like Yoga or Tai Chi for stress relief, dance, or painting. I am an artist on the side. I paint, and make jewelry. I must find time to rediscover that side.  Increase activities that strengthen your relationship with God or your spirituality. We can't control many things that happen in our lives, but we can control how we manage and react to them.

I am in the process of organizing a Heart Health Event at the studio in February 2014, to share more information about heart health and living balanced lifestyles and also to reach out to more women about the importance of taking care of ourselves as women. Our ultimate goal is not just to lose weigh but to be healthy ,balanced and happy .