health tips of the week:

Domestic Workouts

Everyday chores count. The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association considers raking leaves or vacuuming as moderate physical activity, as long as you are working for at least 10 minutes at a time! It's recommended that moderate physical activities total at least 30 minutes, 5 to 7 days a week. Small amounts of activity count towards this goal as well. The key to improving cardiovascular health and making a significant difference as it relates to weight loss goals is to sustain physical movement over a period of time. 'Sustain' being the key term here.

Eating Out

Studies reveal that Americans consume 1/3 of their daily calories on away-from-home foods. Experts have also linked eating out with obesity and higher caloric intakes. When dining out, consider trying one of these healthy eating tips: order half portions or ask that half of the portion be placed in a 'to go' box (save this for a meal the next day); ask for a side of veggies with your order; split your dessert; choose water or unsweetened tea instead of soda; and finally, eat slowly and enjoy the flavor. With portion sizes as large as they typically are at just about every restaurant, consider what my wife and I do regularly...order a salad or appetizer and then split the entree. We refer to it as 'senior citizen'-style.