Did You Know?

12 steps to add ten healthy years to the middle of your life.

You can’t live forever.  You can live a healthier, longer life. For each of these healthy lifestyle changes, you can decrease your risk of early death by 10%:

1. Lose that spare tire.  Keep off extra weight, and you’ll feel better and live longer.
2. Know where your blood pressure’s at.  Work with your doctor to control high blood pressure, and get smart about what you eat. 
3. Watch out for diabetes.  3 million Canadians suffer from diabetes.  Diabetes reduces your life expectancy.  Work with your doctor to avoid or control diabetes.
4. Cholesterol, cholesterol, cholesterol.   You need to take charge of managing your cholesterol.  Ask your doctor to help.  
5. Stop smoking.  You’ve probably heard this one before, but seriously: it’s time to put down the cigarettes.  You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel after you quit.
6. Hit the gym.  Get on a bike.  Go for a jog.  Take a yoga class.  However you do it, you should exercise 30 minutes per day and lift weights/do resistance exercise 2–3 times per week. (And no, lifting a beer can is not weight-lifting).
7. Watch your booze intake.  Aside from all the health risks of excessive alcohol consumption, think of the calories!  One can of beer contains about 300 calories....that’s an extra 45 minutes on the treadmill.  A maximum of 1–2 drinks per day is suggested.
8. Your mother was right: eat your vegetables.  Fruits, vegetables, omega–3s, antioxidants, monounsaturated fats are important parts of a balanced diet.
9. Turn off the BlackBerry.  Get Zen.  Consider your work/life balance.  Control stress, depression, and other mental health disorders.  Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor if you’re feeling anxious or depressed.
10. Don’t be stupid.  Avoid boneheaded behavior (e.g. speeding, drunk driving, recreational drugs, high-risk sex, violent behavior, etc.).  Those guys on Jackass?  Are younger than you.
11. Look at your family tree.  Know both your personal medical history as well as your family’s medical history.  Did you grandfather keel over from a heart attack at 40?  That could be important.
12. Get a doctor.  Educate yourself about your health risks and discuss them with your doctor. If you don't have a doctor, get one.