What's Stopping You?

As you know, February is the month know for love and for the past few weeks we have been talking about the importance of heart health!?There are so many things we have discussed in previous posts and videos such as the staggering statistics of death rates due to heart disease.?If you missed that, check out my previous posts this week!?We’ve also talked about selfcare and taking care of your heart by addressing our overall health.?This means taking care of your overall health every day in fueling your body right, hydrating, exercising, managing your stress, getting plenty of sleep, and most importantly, in my mind, having the right mindset; one of positivity and gratitude! ?Get up and get moving! Get those 30 minutes a day in and the muscle toning!?Get the junk out of your life!?No more excuses!

We have all heard these things a million times but so many people continue to die of heart disease each year!?Why is it we don’t take this information and all these tips to heart and incorporate them into our daily lives??Ask anyone who had had bypass surgery and they will tell you that they never dreamed that it would happen to them.?We all think that we are invincible!?It happens to other people and not us.?I hear excuses all the time!?Reasons are varied and sometimes quiet creative.?But, while they are excuses, they are also signs of an underlying reason much bigger than the convenient excuse itself.?One of the saddest reasons I have heard from someone is that they don’t love themself enough to make a change. This person actually admitted they felt stuck in life, miserable in their job and their home life and just didn’t love themselves.?They didn’t even like what they saw in the mirror.?Truly a sad state, isn’t it??

What obstacles do you have to your own selfcare and taking care of your overall health to improve your heart health? ?Studies have shown that there are three main obstacles to selfcare:

??Lack of confidence in the ability to make a change

These people have tried and failed so many times.?They have short periods of success then the wheels fall off the bus so to speak and they are back to their old habits.?They have lost hundreds of pounds: then same 20 pounds at multiple times in their life.?They have no confidence in themselves to try something that will give them lasting results they’ll love!

Seek support from family and friends to boost your confidence.?Don’t wait for family members to give you the OK to have selfcare time to take care of you.?That may mean tag -teaming with the kids in the evening!?It may mean you say no to some other commitments, so you have time for you and your health each day.?

Get an accountability partner in a friend or family member!?Schedule a workout with a friend.?You will always show up for them whereas you can easily talk yourself out of a walk if doing it alone!?I know!?I’ve done it!?My husband and I hold each other accountable every day!?I am also accountable to every one of my clients to help them achieve long-term success! ?Studies have shown that people achieve long-term success only 25% of the time if working on their goals alone compared to 68% for those that have an accountability partner. Having that accountability partner makes a huge difference!

??Depression

These people may be miserable in their everyday lives to the point that they are truly ill and see no light at the end of the tunnel.?Perhaps you are in that place, or you know of someone.?They dislike themselves, their work, their live and generally everything.

Talk to a qualified healthcare provider or a mental health provider to manage your depression.?Improving our nutrition and exercising are two great steps to take to help with depression.?Low serotonin levels are associated with depression.?Ninety five percent of serotonin is made in the gut so cleaning up your diet and exercising can increase those levels and regulate your mood and your outlook on life.

??Having multiple health concerns

The current pandemic has taught us many things.?The most important lessons are that your health matters!?Being healthy can save your life!?Limiting the number of comorbidities, you have such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes can save your life!?

You may be asking yourself, What’s a comorbidity? In simple terms, it is a combination of diseases that have a huge effect on your overall health.?Obesity, heart disease and diabetes usually all run hand in hand.?That means if you have one, you’ll probably have the others, too.?

A mountain of pills is not going to reduce your comorbidities. ?We have control of preventing and mitigating these diseases!?Yes, you may need medication to, but changing your lifestyle can also make a huge positive impact in your quality of life and the longevity of life!?

When 75 % of chronic diseases such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes are caused by our lifestyles, we need to be changing our lifestyles! ???If you have multiple health concerns, discuss them with your healthcare provider and commit to making a change.

??It’s Time to Take Action! ??

What obstacles are in your way that are preventing you from living your best life as healthy as possible??

What areas above do you need to focus on???Be sure to comment and reach out for a discussion.?Let’s get you living your best life feeling your best with a healthy heart!?It is easier than you think! I look forward to talking with you!