{Infographic}: How to Treat Heart Disease Better

The holidays are just around the corner. You know what this season brings. Food... lots of food!  And since most of us are on vacation mode, we tend to overindulge and exercise less.  After all, this is the much deserved break from the daily grind of work and stuff we do routinely.  It's the time to just chill out and relax as they say.  In other words, it's the perfect excuse to revert to couch potato mode.

It's no wonder that one of the top resolutions come January is about losing the weight gained during the break and a clamoring to melt those bulges and bring down the cholesterol levels to normal. It's a vicious cycle if you ask me.  

For someone who is already at risk, having a family history of heart disease from both parents, this infographic is a good reminder for me and for you as well. That's why I thought of sharing it with you before you go full gear for the upcoming break. It somehow sets things in perspective each time we drool over those cholesterol-laden food and each time we're tempted to postpone exercise for the next day...and the next day...and so on.

Well, it all still boils down to eating healthy food and having regular exercise. 

How to Treat Heart Disease Better than Ever Before

Do I Workout Today?

You know, after coming from a rigorous activity, I have this tendency to rest and relax for like maybe a week or so.  I know, I know, it's like when you're on a diet and you've been good at it for a while, then one day, kaboom!  You indulge, thinking you deserve it as a reward for all those times you held back on an extra serving.  

So that's me after a long run.  After punishing myself, I pamper myself with rest.  Nothing wrong with that, for a few days but when it extends to a week, then someone has to really kick my butt and get me off this chair.  Muscle pain is just a good excuse for two or three days. So right now, I really don't have any more reason to be sitting around most times.  Yeah, yeah, I do have my lazy moments but I will not take being human as an excuse.  That's why we need to be constantly motivated, and not just once, but as many times as we need to.

Infographic: Why Coffee and Tea Are Amazing for You

A few months ago, I've been pondering on whether I should stop drinking coffee.  Truth be told, I have not stopped and I'm still enjoying my morning (and even afternoon) brew.  Some say they could not live without the caffeine fix. I guess if it has turned into an addiction, that could be true.  I would say I can still stop taking coffee if I need to.  But that is something I still have to establish.  Of course, I will not be immune to the withdrawal symptoms also.  I know for a fact that I will have headaches for a couple of days and studies validate that.   

Right now, I only skip drinking coffee in the morning when I have a scheduled early morning run.  It's not because it is a known stimulant.  I think my body could handle that even if I have hypertension.  The thing is, coffee is a diuretic for me.  I don't like interrupting my runs with trips to the restroom.  Twice, I had to endure holding the water in during 5K runs and that is quite a feat considering how each time the foot hits the pavement, my bladder keeps reminding me lol!

Infographic: 9 Foods That Lower Blood Pressure

I was frequenting this site, Natural News for quite sometime, but I was mostly reading the articles. I didn't notice before that they have tons of infographics and I saw this one that would prove to be helpful, not just for people suffering from hypertension, like me, but also for those who want to improve heart health in particular.  Out of these, I have yet to try Hawthorn berries and hibiscus.  I don't even know if we have the berries locally but there may be an equivalent of that here.  And I have yet to research about how to take hibiscus but I would guess that it's for making tea, sort of.  The other items, I eat occasionally. Maybe it's time to have more of them in my diet.

There are a lot more foods that help lower blood pressure.  As I have mentioned before, those foods rich in potassium are great!  So, I'll just be sharing this one.  

Natural News: 9 Foods That Lower Blood Pressure

Note to Natural News site owner... My comment that was under moderation was published, but my query was not answered.  I hope that publishing my comment means you allow me to post this infographic.  Thank you.

Infographic: Optimize Your Health

I thought this would be a good reminder to me, to keep striving for a healthier lifestyle.  With all the temptations around, it is easy to lose sight of my health goals sometimes.  To be honest, I still have a long way to go.  I still got some bad habits to break and more good habits to form.  You could say I'm still a work in progress. 

I'm sharing this to you, to help you on your health journeys and to serve as a guide.  Not everything will be applicable to everyone.  Just choose what works well for you.

Infographic: Workout Nutrition Guide

Fish on Negei Plate and Chilewich Placemat

I've been asked by Sarah of Not My Own Anymore in her comment on Philhealth: Post Run Update if it's alright to have an extra helping of rice after a long run. My answer is of course just based on what I normally do and something that applies to me. But, we could all benefit from reading what the fitness experts have to say. After all, they're the ones who have had studied this aspect of workouts.

I'd be honest. I don't usually eat anything before I run and I just take a sip of water.  That's because I have to get up before 4 am and leave before 5am to go to the running venue.  If I run before 6am, I'd still have something in my stomach and it worries me that I might throw up with the exertion lol!  Barely no liquid also as I tend to pee if I have coffee or water that early. Running could get uncomfortable when you have to hold that water until you finish the run.  I suppose I have to make adjustments so I could have the proper nutrition before my run.  That way, I could probably last longer and not have my energy zapped out during the last kilometer of the run.

Infographic: Running Facts

I know that running is not for everyone, but for those who are inclined (even just a tiny bit) to engage in this fitness activity, here are some interesting facts you may want to consider even before you start.  I must admit, I just took to running without knowing most of these things, particularly about that blood-squirting thing...makes me cringe.  That would have scared me anyway, so I'm just glad I didn't know.

Good news for those couch potatoes who are thinking of doing any form of exercise.  The mind is really a powerful tool.  It says in the middle of this infographic that just thinking about doing some activity already increases your heart rate in anticipation.  See, you're probably already burning an infinitesimal amount of energy by just thinking.  Duh...no wonder I get hungry when I think too much hahaha!  

Amazing Facts About the Human Body

I couldn't resist not sharing this. It's just so amazing how the human body is made. It's truly the work of a Genius and an Artist.  I am in awe at this wonderful creation which we often take for granted.

"I praise you because I am fearfully

and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well."

Psalm 139:14

---from the NIV

I am most sure you would try out no. 11.  I just did!  Talk about being a skeptic hahaha!  Some of the reasons behind these facts are still mysteries to me.  All I know is that there is a profound knowledge and wisdom into this creation.

Okay so enough stalling.  Just read this cool infographic:

Infographic: Ten Tips for a Healthier Workplace

I'm sharing another infographic on workplace wellness courtesy of Compliance and Safety. These are ten tips that are worth considering, for the benefit of workers in the workplace, be it the shopfloor or the standard offices.  Most of these things are really taken for granted because too much focus is given to delivering quotas and oftentimes failing to see how an unhealthy workplace contributes to low productivity.  

Some of these, we already do in our company, but I would sure welcome having healthy activities in the office (tip no. 4).  That's something we lack here.  A really neat idea is to have a small gym inside the premises.  Been dreaming of that for quite sometime now, but as it is, it's out of my hands.  It's management decision and they have not yet considered that seriously.  Well, I'm still hoping! I'm sure I'll frequent that place...a lot!

How about you?  What health programs do you employ in the workplace?  Do share with us some of your tips to having a healthy workplace.

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