Our weight problem is a national pandemic

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Our weight problem is a national pandemic...

While the country eyes all birds suspiciously, a silent but steady

pandemic is already taking place. Despite an abundance of diets,

fitness DVDs and health-based media coverage: our nation is growing -

in size.

Two thirds of the population in the UK is already overweight or

obese and some predictions for the future are sobering: the current

generation may not live as long as their parents and the death toll

from obesity may well surpass that from smoking.

One reason for this is that excess weight makes you more likely to

develop heart disease: Your blood pressure can increase and put a

strain on your heart.

You can get levels of blood cholesterol and blood fats that result

in the furring up of your arteries.

Your heart can enlarge as it tries to cope with the greater demands

a larger body size creates.

You are more likely to develop Type II diabetes which itself is a

risk factor for get heart disease.

Here are a couple of starting points for a healthier heart and a

healthier size.

You are the key. No diet or guru can change your relationship with

food and exercise, only you can take on board a healthy lifestyle

and stick to it.

Drink more water. Not only will it help suppress your appetite

naturally (hunger is often a sign of thirst). It will also help you

feel less tired, so you can be more active and give your heart a

workout. Ditch the squash and fizzy drinks and make a bottle of H2O

a permanent accessory.

Forget take-aways and eating out. Discover the hidden health

conscious chef in you and cook from scratch. Avoid saturated fat and

salt, which are bad news for your heart and arteries, and favour

heart-friendly ingredients such as oily fish, soya, fruit and

vegetables. Then invite some friends over for a sumptuous meal.

Chop up a colourful selection of fruit and vegetables and keep them

handy for snacks or when cravings start.

Get moving. There is no pill to replace exercise you are the answer.

Walk at every opportunity, take up gardening, rediscover your

favourite childhood sports Involve your whole family (healthy habits

start in childhood) and friends in your healthy lifestyle. " The

more, the merrier " goes the saying and the more hearts that benefit

too.

National Obesity awareness Week is from March 12th-17th. As Louise

Diss, Director of TOAST (The Obesity Awareness & Solutions Trust),

says: " People don't always know what it is to be obese. Even being 2

to 3 stones overweight can have a large impact on your health " .

So think of your heart's health and make that your motivation for

leading a healthier and rewarding lifestyle.

If you would like more information about losing weight, healthy

living and heart disease, contact HRUK or TOAST on 01279 866010,

www.toast-uk.org

10:55am today