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| Start on your weight loss goals right away! |
I’ve heard it so many times: “On Monday, I’m going to start watching what I eat and exercise regularly.” I’ve been guilty of health-related procrastination myself and I know how the story goes. We try to finish off the bag of chocolate chip cookies on Sunday because we need them out of the house come Monday morning. But then Monday turns into Tuesday; Tuesday turns into a month and so on. It’s time to stop putting off ‘til tomorrow what you could change today. And, recent research give us some pretty compelling reasons to get our act together and focus on improving our health NOW.
Getting your blood pressure in check will help you age more gracefully.
In one study, researchers followed nearly 5,000 people over the course of ten years. They found that study participants who had increased cardiovascular risk factors, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, also experienced a greater decline in cognitive function and memory. What’s even more interesting is that the study focused on people whose average age was 55 years. So, the health related declines in brainpower begin in middle age.
Weight loss procrastination increases your risk for diseases, like diabetes.
I’m going to be very blunt here: if you’re overweight, you are at risk for developing type II diabetes. One recent study found that the amount of excess body fat you’re carrying, along with the amount of time you carry it, significantly increases your risk for type II diabetes. Adipose tissue (aka fat) secretes a number of hormones, some of which affect your body’s ability to produce and respond to insulin. By limiting your body’s ability to regulate or respond to insulin, you are at risk for developing diabetes. What does this mean? Well, it means that as more Americans are classified as obese, more American’s will be diagnosed with this disease. According to recent statistics, if current trends continue, 1 in 3 people will be diagnosed with diabetes by 2050. Which side of the equation do you want to fall on?
Carrying extra weight could shorten life’s journey.
In another recent study, researchers examined data from over 5,000 people who were followed for 48 years. The specific group they examined was free of preexisting conditions like heart disease and cancer. Researchers found that the length of time people live with obesity decreases the length of time they live. For people who spent 5-14.9 years living with obesity, they more than doubled their risk of dying over people who had never been obese. How’s that for motivation to fit into your favorite jeans?
Today is the day to make the changes that can improve your health. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and managing your stress level are important factors that will positively affect both your waistline and your lifespan.
Set a goal to make one healthy change today and then get moving - your healthier life awaits!
