February 1st is Wear Red Day!

The American Heart Association and the National Lung and Blood Institute have websites dedicated to your healthy heart. On February 1st, people across North America will be wearing red to support these initiatives.

Go to www.goredforwomen.com and http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth for information on National Wear Red Day.

Reduce your risk of heart attack by following these tips:

Incorporate Omega-3 fatty acids:

Omega-3 fatty acids support a healthy cardiovascular system by reducing LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, plaque build-up, inflammation and blood clots while increasing HDL (the "good" cholesterol).

Incorporate low glycemic index (GI), high fiber foods into your diet:

Individuals with diabetes and metabolic syndrome have a 400 percent risk of having a heart attack. Low GI, high fiber foods decrease cholesterol and modulate blood sugar levels which help to reduce inflammation, a known risk factor underlying heart disease.

Minimize saturated fat and trans fat:

Avoid saturated fat and trans fat by staying clear of the center aisles at the grocery store where pre-packaged baked goods with long shelf-lives are found. Stay clear of those packages containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils which often contain significant sources of trans fat. According to the Nurses Health Study, women who consumed 2 grams of trans fat per 1000 calories of food were shown to be at greater risk of developing heart disease.

Incorporate Antioxidant-rich foods and Anti-inflammatory herbs and spices:

Fruits and vegetables, dark chocolate (70% cocoa), and red wine (1 glass for women) all contain heart-healthy antioxidants. Anti-inflammatory herbs like curcumin and ginger have been shown to decrease the release of inflammatory molecules by inhibiting the COX-2 enzyme, which is the same way many anti-inflammatory drugs work.

So with those tips in mind, you can get the additional benefit of a partner in health by joining me in my 90-Day program, Get Your Body Back. Over the next 90 days, we'll incorporate healthy habits in the grocery store, the kitchen, and at the office. Then we'll add physical activity to strengthen your heart muscle (which is your most powerful involuntary muscle).

The coaching relationship then insures that you follow the plan we've designed for you. When you know you're being held accountable for your actions, you tend to do what you said you would!

The Get Your Body Back program helps you improve three important facets of your life, which contributes to heart health, but also overall well-being, as you reduce your excess body fat.

1) What you eat.
2) What you do.
3) Your consistency.

So wear red today and support these important heart-healthy initiatives. And for more information on heart healthy habits and the Get Your Body Back 90-day program, e-mail me at billiesinclair@mybodywise.org Let's get you started on your way towards optimal health!