National Women's Health Week

Yesterday, Mother's Day, began National Women's Health Week. Coordinated by the Office on Women's Health at the US Department of Health & Human Services, National Women's Health Week seeks to empower women to make healthier choices and make their own health a priority. Click here to visit the NWH web page to find information and events in your area.

An important element is this initiative is to encourage women to take simple steps towards a healthier life. At Life-Cise and in my workshops, a lot of attention is paid to helping women make healthier choices. There are so many ways to build a little exercise into your day even if you can't get to the gym for a full workout. Take the stairs instead of the escalator, walk a few blocks before hopping in a cab, do some straight-arm raises or bicep curls with the groceries while you put them away, do some squats while wainting on hold when you call your bank - you get the idea. I may sound like a broken record on this, but it really does make a difference.

It's all about making healthier choices. No one is expecting you to suddenly be training like some super athlete or eating a perfect diet. All the recommendations and studies can seem a bit overwhelming (and even off-putting). I find it helps to just think about making realistic choices. Don't worry about being perfect - no one is. Just make one choice today. Choose one healthier thing - order the salad instead of french fries, walk up two flights to your meeting instead of taking the elevator, make the appointment for your mammogram that you've been putting off.... And tomorrow make one more choice for health, and the next day, and the next.

Julie