May 13-19, 2012 is National Women’s Health Week! This year’s theme is “It’s Your Time.” What a great theme! Women tend to take take care of everyone else and take on the responsibility of managing everyone else’s…appointments, meals, pets, schedule, problems, and just well…life.
We do so much for those we care about and sometimes forget to put our own health first. Then, the excuses just start piling up! Most of us have used at least one of the following excuses as a reason and/or barrier for not practicing a healthy lifestyle:
- There is no time. Love this one! It reminds me of the Saved By The Bell episode where Jessie Spano freaks after taking a bunch of caffeine pills. She said in the episode, “No time! There’s never any time! I don’t have time to study… I”ll never get into Stanford. I’ll let everyone down!” I like to think we make time for what we want to make time for and shouldn’t your health be a priority? In order to take care of others you need to take care of your health first.
- I am too tired. It really is hard to force yourself to workout when you feel tired and it really is the last thing you want to do. BUT if you workout more you will have more energy. So lace up those shoes and get moving!
- It is raining outside (or anything else related to the weather). This one requires a back-up plan! If rain, snow, heat, or wind is preventing your from your outside activity go to the gym or just pop in one of your favorite exercise DVDs and get to work.
- My Spouse or significant other is causing me to gain weight. I hear this one a lot and have even wrote a blog post on this specific topic. Click here to read more! At the bare minimum…move beyond couch cuddling to more active quality time.
- I have to watch the kids. Push them in a stroller. Take them to a park. Go on a family bike ride. Play tag. (Insert a any idea here).
- There is too much junk food in the house. Stop buying it. Give a healthy grocery list to the person in the family that does the shopping if it is not you.
National Women’s Health Week is supposed to empower women to overcome these types of barriers and take the following steps to improve their health by:
- Visiting a health care provider to get regular check-ups.
- Exercising.
- Consuming healthy balanced meals. Check-in with your Registered Dietitian to help you get and stay on track.
- Paying attention to their mental health, including getting enough sleep and stress management.
- Avoiding unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and not wearing a seat belt or bicycle helmet.
To learn more about National Women’s Health Week. Click here to check out the National Women’s Health Week website put up by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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