Written on behalf of Guard Your Health, a health and wellness campaign for Army National Guard Soldiers and their families
2017 is here, which means many people have probably made New Year’s resolutions to stay fit and eat healthy. As a health care professional, you’re in a great position to help your clients, coworkers, friends, and family stick to their 2017 New Year’s resolutions. Guard Your Health has a few tips you can share to help your local community get and stay fit well into the new year.
- Think outside the gym. Remind those you work with that they don’t need to go to the gym to get in a full-body workout. Moves like push-ups, burpees, lunges, and squats can all be done at home, without any equipment. Encourage your patients to check out Guard Your Health’s digital Drill Deck on their mobile device. The digital Drill Deck allows users to choose exercises that target their upper body, lower body, full body, or core. Users can also choose the intensity and duration of their workout. The digital Drill Deck is a great, free resource for any fitness level!
- Promote healthy eating habits. Learning how to eat healthy can seem daunting, but reminding friends and family to set goals is a great way to help them build healthy eating habits. They can start by making small changes, such as filling half their plate with vegetables or eating a healthier alternative for dessert. Guard Your Health’s No-Bake Chocolate Oat Cookies only use four ingredients and are a healthier way to satisfy cravings for sweets. You can also encourage those around you to use the weekend to get a head start on their cooking for the week. Preparing meals in advance can help them save time during the week and ensure they stick to their healthy eating habits. Guard Your Health offers several healthy, budget-friendly recipes through their #ClassIRecipes series that are great for meal-prepping. They’re not only easy to make, but also taste delicious!
- Encourage good hydration. Drinking water keeps our muscles energized and helps speed up our metabolism. It also helps flush out toxins after a tough workout. Ask your coworkers if they are drinking enough water by directing them to this hydration calculator. If they’re falling short of their recommended hydration requirements, share these tips to help them stay hydrated:
- Bring a refillable bottle of water to work every day
- Add lemon, pineapple, or cucumber for flavor
- Stay hydrated by snacking on watermelon, oranges, or cantaloupe
- Discuss the importance of sleep. Sleep is a necessity, not a luxury. Sleep deprivation can increase our risk for heart disease, obesity, and depression. Encourage your patients to get 7-9 hours of sleep every night. If they’re having trouble sleeping, share these useful tips with them:
- Unplug from all devices 30-45 minutes before going to bed
- Eat dinner at least two hours before bedtime
- Block out sounds with white noise or earplugs
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Guard Your Health (www.guardyourhealth.com) is a health and medical readiness campaign for Army National Guard Soldiers and their families sponsored by the Army National Guard Chief Surgeon’s Office. Guard Your Health provides Army National Guard Soldiers with the information, motivation, and support to overcome challenges and make healthy decisions for themselves, their families, and their units. To learn more about improving your health, visit the Guard Your Health website, like “Guard Your Health” on Facebook, and follow @ARNGHealth on Twitter. For more tips to max your APFT and stay mission ready, subscribe to FitText, Guard Your Health’s text message program, by texting FIT to 703-997-6747.