Its February and there’s a lot of ”love” going around. Valentines Day, Heart Health Awareness Month, Max’s Birthday, and the Steelers lost the Super Bowl 
Yes….LOVE Seriously though. Did you know that every 34 seconds a person in our country dies of Heart Disease?!?!!? Yes! Every 34 seconds! A very scary thought. Heart disease is the #1 killer in America and so much of it is preventable! That to me is a concept I cannot fathom. How is it something we can control we are allowing to control us? Being overweight & obese are huge factors that cause heart disease. Friends, we need to put a stop to this and we need to do it now. How are your News Years resolutions going? Did you stop smoking? Have you maintained your fitness goals? Have you worked out regularly? Have you made a conscience effort to follow a healthier diet? Are you taking care of #1….YOU? It is OK to put you first sometimes you know. Since this topic is so important to me I am going to give you a few facts you need to know. If you don’t make sure you ask your doctor at your next appointment. AND if you have not had a physical in the last year, schedule one right after you read this! I’ve said it over & over. Rule #1 listen to your body! You are the driver and cannot safely drive if you have blinders on Remove the rose colored glasses and look at what your body is telling you. Look & Listen Blood pressure, Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Fasting Glucose & BMI. These numbers are crucial in determining heart health. You have to make sure you know them, and since they are numbers you usually cannot find out at home, be sure you ask your doctor. One way you could find out right now if you are on the right track is by your waist circumference. Abdominal fat is a clear indicator of how you are doing, and measuring your waist is easy and simply can be done anywhere as long as you have a tape measure. For men a waist circumference of over 40 inches and for women over 35 inches can tell you you have central obesity. Having that extra belly fat or beer belly can actually be telling you that your LDL, the bad cholesterol is high and can lead to heart disease. OK, so how do we measure? Grab that tape measure and wrap it around your bare abdomen just above the hip bone. Place it gently…don’t cheat now, you’ll only be cheating yourself & your heart Over 40 inches for men & over 35 for women are the numbers again. Get checking!
Have a Great One! Get Moving! If you fell off track get right back on & move while you’re on it! You may just get run over if you’re just sitting there!
Besos y Abrazos…xoxo ”…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”
