This post was written in partnership with Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. and Take Cholesterol to Heart. All opinions, content and experiences written are my own. I am not a medical professional and am not qualified to give medical advice. Please talk with your doctor about your individual medical situation.
Living a healthy and active lifestyle is important because, as women, we often wear a lot of hats, so it’s easy to put ourselves last on the priority list. But, what better time than National Women’s Health Week to start thinking about how we can incorporate healthier choices?
High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States. Because of my family history of heart disease and high cholesterol, eating a balanced diet is a top priority for me. I also get my cholesterol checked regularly by my doctor as part of a preventative plan. The American Heart Association (AHA) suggests checking every 4-6 years for adults over the age of 20.
Do you know what else is essential for a heart-healthy lifestyle? Being active! Despite having spent a lot of time at home in the last several weeks, I’ve done a variety of things in or around my house to stay active, and today I want to share some fun ways you can do that too and maintain an active lifestyle.
Active Lifestyle Benefits
It’s easy to make exercise part of your daily routine without feeling like it’s a chore. Even if you lead a sedentary lifestyle, making healthy changes in your life can be simple.
To maintain healthy cholesterol levels, the AHA recommends 40 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise 3 to 4 times a week. Make sure to talk to your doctor about the types of exercises that may work for you.
Staying Active at Home
After having children, I’ve found that I’m able to stay active at home because of how many more steps I get simply from chasing my kids around, cooking meals, and cleaning the house. What are some ways that you can increase your at-home step count?
An at-home-gym is not needed to exercise at home. As a matter of fact, using simple resistance bands can get your heart rate up and tone your body.
Living Room Workouts
With five of us and pets living in a small home, the living room is the place where most of my workouts happen. When other family members take over the TV, I grab the iPad or a smartphone for a workout from one of the many free apps or YouTube videos.
Even a quick yoga or stretching session can have stress-reducing effects which can be very beneficial for your heart health. I highly encourage you to let your pets into the fun, giggles and snuggles almost guaranteed.
Does Walking Count as Exercise?
Yes! I always suggest walking to anyone that wants to get started with a fitness routine but is intimidated by the selection of a home workout program or running.
If you have a furry child, grab a leash and start with a 20-minute daily walk. They too can benefit from the exercise.
Other Ways to Be Active from Home
- Gardening is a great physical and mental exercise.
- Take the stairs. If you live in a two-level home, make it a point to go up and down the stairs several times per day.
- Play with the kids. One of our favorite afternoon activities on rainy days is to pull out the old Wii and have dance parties.
- Do backyard activities. We love setting up obstacle courses, playing soccer or trampoline jumping – these all fun ways that our family spends time being active together outdoors.
- Set up indoor games. Twister is always a favorite with the kids and they love getting mom all tangled up!
After a fun active day with the family, I always feel like I did something positive for my heart health.
If you have high cholesterol, make sure to work with your doctor to ensure your management plan fits your unique needs and you can easily incorporate it into your lifestyle.
This post is sponsored by Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, and should not be construed to constitute medical advice. Personal opinions and thoughts are my own. I am not a medical professional and am not qualified to give medical advice. Please talk with your doctor about your individual medical situation.
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