Stay Fit Checklist #1: Learn Your Family’s Health History
The Fit Nation Checklist is a list compiled by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, medical correspondent for CNN. On his Fit nation website he has posted the following list that provides great tips on how to get and stay fit. I will look at each component separately and provide my own take on how to utilize the list.
FIT NATION CHECKLIST
- Learn your family health history
- Make fitness fun
- Get at least 30-minutes of exercise daily
- Drink water
- Be a role model for children
- Take the stairs
- Be consistent
- Do the math
- Eat a healthy breakfast
- Involve the whole family
1. Learn your family health history.
You probably already know if your parents have any medical conditions, but take a closer look at the conditions and find out how exercise can decrease your risk for developing the same conditions. Exercise does not have to be viewed as a chore.
Think of your commitment to exercise as an investment in your life, or better yet, your quality of life.
The average life expectancy for Americans is 77.6 years, a record high according to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The longer we live the more likely we are to experience illnesses and physiological complications. Just like a motor vehicle, the longer you have it, the more problems will arise do to normal wear and tear. Our bodies aren’t built to last forever, but the better we take care of our bodies, just like your car, the more good or problem free years we can get out of it.
By knowing what hereditary factors may influence your health, you can view exercise and fitness as a way to possibly, delay or avoid “family-related” health problems.
