What is Life’s Simple 7?

February 5, 2015

The American Heart Association’s annual Go Red For Women Campaign kicks off Friday, February 6th, Go Red Day. All over the U.S. women will be wearing red to increase awareness of heart disease in women and to inspire women to take charge of their heart health.

As an ambassador for the American Heart Association I had the privilege of talking about the American Heart Association’s campaign to reduce heart disease by 20% by 2020 with Life’s Simple 7^TM at Workday in Pleasanton, CA yesterday.

Janice Litvin Speaks about Heart Health at Workday, Pleasanton

Did you know that HEART DISEASE IS STILL THE #1 KILLER IN THE U.S.?

Death rates have dropped by about 40% but we still have a long way to go. The good news is that research shows that if you are in ideal cardiovascular health by the age of 50, you can expect to live another 40 years free of heart disease and stroke.  And by “ideal cardiovascular health,” we mean that you have no risk factors for heart disease.

That’s where Life’s Simple 7 ^TM comes in. If your health is considered ideal in each of these seven categories, you are in ideal cardiovascular health.

First of all, know your numbers. Find out where you stand in regards to cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure. Then stop smoking, eat better, lose or maintain your weight at a health pace, and get active. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity exercise or 75 minutes of high intensity. The easiest way to stay active is to work it into your day. Ideas such as walking at lunch, walking for meetings, taking the stairs and parking far from the entrance. Workday even has treadmill desks and gives financial incentives for joining a local gym, such as 24 Hour Fitness, where you can find fun classes like Zumba Fitness and Body Pump, a barbell program set to music.

And speaking of strength training, did you know that strength training is the only way to reduce your metabolism? That’s right, for those of you struggling to lose weight, add strength training to your fitness journey, one to three times per week, and those pounds will melt off, without coming back.

If you can make one small change today, say lower your sodium or sugar intake or perhaps, add one more day to your fitness regimen, you will be on your way to improving your heart health. Join the Go Red (goredforwomen.org) campaign and the American Heart Association in stopping heart disease before it starts.  Go Red tomorrow, February 6th and tweet #GoRed @JLitvin on Twitter (https://twitter.com/jlitvin) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ZumbaContraCosta).

I am available to speak to corporate or association groups. Please get in touch at 415.518.2202 or Janice@ZumbaContraCosta.com.

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