Yesterday was the first official day of spring and we’re beginning to see signs of warmer weather on the way. The grass is greening up, trees are beginning to bud and bloom, and birds are returning from their winter migrations. And as the natural world begins to wake back up, it’s the perfect time for… Continue Reading Healthy Lifestyles in Bloom
Ever wonder why we use the term “cardio” when talking about exercise? Cardio is short for cardiovascular exercise, which we now call aerobic exercise or activity. We call it cardiovascular exercise because of how these types of activities affect cardiorespiratory fitness, which is how well your heart, lungs, and muscles function during activity. Having good… Continue Reading Move More for Strong Hearts
Everyone benefits from moving more. Physical activity is one of the most important and beneficial behaviors for your health across the lifespan. The newest version of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans was released recently. It has been updated with more details about the health benefits of physical activity and recommendations for each age group,… Continue Reading Move More Your Way
Cooking and eating family meals at home is the best way to eat smart. Home cooked meals are generally healthier and cheaper. But eating out is also a large part of our eating habits. About half of the average American’s food dollars are spent on food away from home. About ¼ of our calories come… Continue Reading Eat Smart When Eating Out
Are you still getting used to the time change? It’s nice to have the sun shining in the morning, but it’s rough to get home after dark each evening. If you’re used to taking a walk in the evenings as a way to be active, it just got harder to commit to maintaining that habit… Continue Reading Moving More With Less Daylight
Walking is one of the best ways to move more. You don’t need special equipment to walk, just a comfortable pair of shoes. You’ve been practicing walking since you were a toddler, although a few pointers on form can always help. You can walk almost anywhere (even indoors!), although parks, greenways, and sidewalks are more… Continue Reading Step It Up Walk-tober
Most adults need to eat 2-3 cups of vegetables every day. But less than 1 in 10 Americans actually do this. Cost, access, and lack of time are common reasons people don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables. But it’s possible to get more veggies on your plate without too much work or cost. Check out… Continue Reading Cooking Hacks to Eat More Vegetables
Did you know that living near a park is linked to being more active? Parks are great places to move more and enjoy the outdoors. You can find family-friendly activities at all types of parks – the neighborhood playground, the local rec sports field, a large urban parks and recreation facility, state and national parks,… Continue Reading Move More in a Park
Sometimes our efforts to eat smart miss the forest for the trees. We spend a lot of time wondering if individual foods are healthy. But we don’t always pay the same attention to our overall diet pattern. The 2015 Dietary Guidelines and MyPlate have helped to shift the focus from nutrients and food groups to… Continue Reading Healthy Food or Healthy Diet?
We are starting to emerge from the cold, dark winter weather. As the weather warms up and all the plants are getting greener, it’s the perfect time to think about how you’ll emerge from winter hibernation on the couch. Research has found that most people are more active during spring and summer than late fall… Continue Reading Spring into Fitness
