Tips for a Healthier You in 2020 Around Channahon

Channahon, IL - The gifts are now open, Christmas breakfast has been served - and as you head on to dinner with family and friends tonight, you may be wondering, "How do I keep myself healthy entering into 2020?" We all know that when it comes to the holidays, food and beverages are part of the celebration of the season. According to a 2016 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the average American's weight increases by 0.4 percent over Christmas and 0.2 percent over Thanksgiving. In total, that amounts to around one pound gained during each holiday season.

When it comes to New Years resolutions, keeping it simple is best. The American Heart Association's Simple 7 could be your best route to happiness and health in the new year. Here's some tips from the American Heart Association along with health advice from Edward-Elmhurst Health:

• Get your blood pressure under control. Higher blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Keep cholesterol in check. High cholesterol can cause plaque buildup in the arteries and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Cut your sugar intake. High blood sugar ranges in those with pre-diabetes and diabetes can cause damage to many organs including the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart.
• Get active every day. In addition to improving mood and helping with stress management, exercise can improve overall health and the above risk factors.
• Eat healthier food. A healthy diet heavy on fruits and vegetables helps you feel better and lose weight.
• Lose weight. Being overweight puts extra physical stress on your body. If you need to lose weight, consider meeting with a dietitian.
• Stop smoking. Not only can smoking cigarettes lead to lung cancer, smoking also increases your risk of heart disease. Talk to your doctor about smoking cessation aids and resources to help you quit. Pick a quit date. Enlist the help of your family and friends.

According to Laura Setlur, M.D. with Edward-Elmhurst Health, losing just 5 percent of your body weight can decrease blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, and sometimes the reductions are enough to no longer need medications.

Living in Channahon, we are blessed with an abundance of natural resources, dense forests, and rolling hills and terrain. If walking indoors is your thing, the Channahon Park District has a indoor track along with the Dimensions Fitness Center that you can sign-up for. A link to pricing and membership rates can be found here: https://www.channahonpark.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/DimensionsMemberships-1.pdf

Your journey to a healthier you doesn't necessarily mean it needs to cost money. Consider taking a drive to the Four Rivers Environmental Center, located at 25055 S Walnut Ln, Channahon, IL 60410. From there, this magnificent property has miles of paved paths that on a nice sunny winter day, you'll be sure to enjoy. Or, any of the the paved paths around Channahon can surely be the start to better heart health.

Resolve to live a healthier life! You don’t even have to wait until Jan. 1 to start. New Year’s Resolutions are a great way to improve your life.