COVID-19 has taken the world by storm. TheWorld Health Organization and theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention consider people with asthma, liver disease, chronic lung disease, heart disease and diabetes to be at higher risk for severe illness than others. Since it is a relatively new infection scientists are still learning about the virus and how to reduce the severity of the infection.
This means, when we stay at home and practice social distancing, we're doing something active to prevent the disease from spreading and to keep ourselves healthy. But, staying home can create challenges for fitness and nutrition routines and these are vitally important to manage any chronic condition.
For those with chronic health conditions, the importance of fitness andnutrition cannot be overstated. In fact, for anyone they are the cornerstones to good health. Practicing unhealthy habits can lead to feeling bad, getting sick more often, and increasing your insulin resistance.
Multiple studies have demonstrated the benefits to exercise, so it's important to look for ways of getting enough, even at home. Just some of the benefits of exercise include helping to:
Have you wondered about the best time to exercise?Harvard Health recommends shaking things up from one to three hours after eating. This is when blood sugar is likely to be higher, so exercise can help to normalize it and to burn carbohydrates from your meal.
The food we eat is an integral component of managingdiabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Keeping your blood sugar within normal limits helps to reduce the potential risk of side effects of high blood sugar, likeperipheral vascular disease, heart attack, and stroke. More than100 million people in the U.S. have diabetes or pre-diabetes. This condition is a metabolic dysfunction triggered by a diet high in carbohydrates. Diabetes places people at a higher risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. In other words, many common chronic health conditions are related to the food you eat.
It's important to talk with your doctor or nutritionist about the types of foods they recommend. Remember, your personal metabolism, genetics, activity level, and eating habits affectyour blood sugar. That's why some people can eat more than others and not gain weight. The key is to eat a variety of foods from healthy food groups and steer clear of processed, junk foods.
If exercise has been a stranger, then there's no time like the present to get introduced. It doesn't matter how physically fit (or unfit), you are - just get started and start safely. Before beginning any exercise program it's important to consult with your doctor. Becoming fit doesn't mean you're training for the Olympics, it just means you're moving, raising your heart rate and increasing your breathing.
As most of the northern hemisphere is sliding into summer, it's a great time to get outside and take a walk. Try walking with a friend, by yourself, or with your favorite audiobook. As you seek to achieve evensmall fitness goals, like walking further each week, it can help you to feel like you're back in control of your life. No matter how small, even little changes in your fitness can make a big difference in your health in the long run. Here are a few options to consider that work well when you're stuck at home:
Consider scheduling your workout the way a CEO plans a meeting. In other words, put it on the calendar and then plan to be there.Remember to be realistic with your fitness goals and to be gentle with yourself. Once you're finished exercising, lets not bust the program by grabbing a poor nutritional choice.
When you're spending more time at home, it may be just the chance to look for new recipes and try new foods. Its easy to get stuck in a routine of making the same five to seven meals every week, and that's boring! Remember to steer clear of the baking frenzy that seems to have become the new craze and instead consider foods that are rich in colorful vegetables, high in healthy fats, and eliminate processed, junk food. Consider using this time to build healthy fitness and nutrition habits to help manage your health.
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The Importance of Fitness and Nutrition While Social Distancing - CareDash News
