Focusing on Healthy Habits
Le-Ann Harris DNP, MHA, RN, NEA-BC
Chief Nursing Officer, VP Patient Care
Let’s be real for a few minutes. Last year, I realized my health was out of control. As my schedule got busier and busier, my life became more and more sedentary. It reached the point where I was sitting most of the day and food was an afterthought. This was not OK! I want to be around for my son; and, when he's old enough to have children, I want them to know who their grandmother is (not "was!")??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????
In my 30+ years of nursing and hospital leadership and teaching doctorate courses for nurses, I've learned a thing or two about healthy living. Movement of any kind AND eating properly are extremely important for the heart. This year, I hope you'll join me in becoming more active and eating better. Together, we can take small steps that add up to something bigger. Here's how we can get started:
On a personal front, I have been working out for the past SIX months ? building more muscle and starting to lose weight. I have also significantly changed my diet. Because it's Heart Month and people across our country are thinking about heart health, I thought this was important to put out there. I truly believe the greatest wealth is health! Will you please comment below and share with me what you're doing to stay healthy?
Addiction Medicine Manager for OhioHealth
14 小时前This is very inspiring! Thank you for sharing. I'll never forget working as a Nurse for the Dept of Corrections. As you can imagine, resources there are more limited and they don't have the best food options. I came across this older lady. She was roughly in her 70's. She was beautiful, with bright red hair. She only took Vitamins. She was healthy as it gets. I'll never forget asking her "What's your secret?" She said "Honey, don't wait until you are my age to start taking care of yourself, you have to do it NOW." Little did she know how much she inspired me that day. ?? Thank you for sharing your journey and encouraging others. I have children and now a granddaughter....and my reason to stay healthy is also the same...to build memories with them and make an effort to control the controlables. Wishing you all the best! You got this! ????
Director of Nursing at OhioHealth Doctors Hospital, Founder and CEO of First Ladies of Africa Organization
1 周Thanks, for your vulnerability, and sharing healthy living habits! This will help many, including me ????
Certified Diabetes Care and Educational Specialist
2 周Congratulations Le-Ann! Great article on healthy habits ??????
Operations Director, Pharmacy Services
2 周Thank you for sharing your journey, Le-Ann Harris DNP, MHA, RN, NEA-BC and congratulations on your progress. I especially appreciate that you’ve identified a “why” that goes way beyond calories and steps. Similarly, I told my kids I plan to live to 100, so I must live a lifestyle that includes a plant-forward diet, exercise and restorative sleep, so that I can make good on my intention!
Keep up the great work Le-Ann! I've been trying to help educate my parents (late 70s) on the importance of improving their dietary patterns & increasing their movement in order to maintain their independence. From a nutrition standpoint, the biggest challenge I've observed with them is that they do not consume enough lean protein to reduce their risk of sarcopenia. They do a limited amount of cardiovascular work during the day/week & zero resistance training. So they are at risk of osteoporosis as well with their limited activity. What worked for you to want to build more muscle? Maybe that will work for them!