The Best Defense is a Good Offense
Vince Lombardy once said, “The best defense is a good offense.” Now is the time to take an offensive strategy with your health to protect against COVID-19 and a host of other health problems.
The world has shifted in the wake of COVID-19. Wellness is no longer a luxury but a necessity. I am not a fear monger but what if COVID-19 becomes a seasonal virus like the flu? What if other new viruses appear like this in the future?
Now is the time to create an offensive strategy for your health. Now is the time to be proactive and make those simple health shifts that will change the trajectory of your future and reduce your risk for these types of viruses.
Those most profoundly affected by COVID-19 are not only the elderly but those people who have underlying health conditions like:
• cardiovascular disease
• diabetes
• asthma -or other lung issues, including smoking
• prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications – similar to those used in autoimmune diseases
• obesity, especially a BMI over 40
• liver or kidney disease
If you have any of these conditions or are at risk, it is time to begin taking a proactive stance on your health in order to reduce your risk.
Cardiovascular Disease
This disease claims more lives than all forms of cancer and respiratory disease combined. According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of all adults have some type of cardiovascular disease. Making changes to eat healthy, exercise regularly, manage stress, stop smoking, control blood pressure and cholesterol levels all can greatly reduce your risk. These are things within your control.
Diabetes
Millions of Americans are currently diagnosed with diabetes and it is estimated that
one in three people have pre diabetes and 90% of them don’t even know it. Diabetes and pre diabetes are often completely reversible with diet and exercise changes. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says losing a mere 5-7 percent of body weight is enough to prevent pre diabetes from developing into full blown diabetes. These are things within your control. And, just think, if food has such a profound impact on people with this condition, think how you can use food and exercise to prevent other underlying health conditions from beginning in the first place!
Obesity
The number of Americans with obesity is skyrocketing. Obesity, and being over weight, leads to all the other health conditions and risks. It increases risks for:
- High blood pressure
- Increased triglycerides and cholesterol
- Cardiovascular disease and heart attacks
- Osteoarthritis
- Stroke
- Sleep apnea
- Metabolic syndrome
- Autoimmune disease
The inflammatory environment of obesity leads to every one of these and more. It is a snowball that grows as it picks up momentum down the hill. And, for this reason is a major risk factor for this viral illness.
The food industry is not on your side. They create foods that have addictive properties so you keep coming back for more. It is all about money, not your health. But making healthy food choices is the number one way to defend yourself and protect your health.
Symptoms vs Root Cause
Medications taken for these health conditions often only address symptoms. And more often than not, there are more side effects to those medications than are benefit to taking them. However, changing how you eat, sleep, move, and manage stress have everything to do with changing the foundation of your health – this is a good offensive strategy. By proactively addressing the root cause of these diseases (food, movement, stress, sleep hygiene), you greatly reduce your risk for disease while fortifying yourself against viruses like COVID-19.
Ask yourself:
What will my health look like down the road if I do nothing?
What will my health look like down the road if I move more or eat better?
What makes it important to me to make those healthy changes?
What small change am I willing and ready to make now?
Who will support me in these changes?
What is an example of time when I have had success in something?
What skills did I use to be successful in that endeavor?
How can I use those skills to help make these healthy changes now?
I realize you are up against some strong biological wiring when it comes to behavior change in these areas. That is why I encourage you to consider a health coach to support you through the process. I offer free 30-minute calls to talk about how health coaching might help you as you make healthier choices.
Isn’t it time for you to start investing in your health and future?
Isn’t it time for a good offensive strategy for your health?
It is time to think about fortifying our health at the most basic level. What we put in our bodies, how we move, our sleep habits and how we manage stress have a ripple affect through our lives. It is time to reinvent yourself and be better prepared for what the future holds.
Photo Credit: cottonbro from Pexels