Many men avoid the doctor like, well, the plague. The stresses of work, family and money often leave men feeling less than macho at the end of the day. And cooking a healthy meal instead of grabbing fast food may not be a priority.
Unfortunately, men today face a health crisis. A lack of preventive health care contributes to many health risks men face including heart attacks, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited the doctor within the last year and 22 percent more likely to neglect regular cholesterol tests.
Fear not, gentlemen. These five healthy action steps will bring out your healthiest self!
1. Check-Ups.
Men need to schedule a physical exam every one to three years and a blood test every year. Going to the doctor might be a pain — literally — but it can detect and prevent disease, ultimately lengthening your life.
2. Exercise.
So maybe you’re not exactly bench-pressing your own body weight, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to fit physical activity into your day. Try parking farther from your office and walking. Find excuses to get out of your seat and get moving — deliver memos personally instead of through email. After work, play with your kids outside. It’ll bring your family together and keep your body fit!
3. Stress.
When you get stressed, your body produces cortisol, a hormone that makes you pack dangerous pounds on your midsection. Take some time to focus on you. Take a brisk walk, enjoy a nap, listen to your favorite music or indulge in a healthy snack like a Relivables® Chocolate-Coated Granola Healthy Snack Bar. Work stressing you out? Try a shot of 24K™ for stress relief, focus and energy. It’s a win-win: you’ll feel more calm and start to slim down.
4. Diet.
Load up on monounsaturated fats, fiber and lean protein to reduce belly fat and lower your cholesterol. Vegetables and whole grains are a must. Try adding a scoop of FibRestore® to your daily shake. It has ten grams of soluble and insoluble fiber, which inhibits cholesterol production and decreases cholesterol build up in your arteries.
5. Supplement.
Take a daily supplement to round out your diet. Reliv Classic® and Reliv Now® are the ideal foundation for essential nutrition.
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