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Nutrition And Exercise

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, runs on my mother’s side of the family. Hypertension is not a current health concern of mine, but I fear it may become one due to the family history. I follow a very healthy diet and exercise plan, but I am always careful to be sure that I am living in the right way to help lower my risk on experiencing high blood pressure myself. My mother talked with me and my siblings growing up about this disease that plagues her family and how we could do our best to avoid contracting it. In a sincere effort to not end up with hypertension, I only drink alcohol sparingly, I use as little salt as I can stand, I exercise daily, I maintain a healthy weight, and I use stress reduction techniques like meditation and relaxation when I feel that I am experiencing high levels of stress. Below you will find my personalized nutrition and fitness plan to help keep my body healthy in an effort to stave off hypertension.
My first goal in keeping myself free from high blood pressure is to eat a healthy diet. I grew up in the Philippines so eating nutritious foods is not difficult for me. I eat mostly meat, vegetables, fruit, and rice. I do drink more soda than I would like and am trying to cut back, although it is hard to fully let go of soda when I enjoy it so much. I have started using Crystal Light powder mixes in my water to give them flavor, and then it is easier to drink the water instead of a soda. I have found that encouraging my whole family to eat a more nutritious diet has helped me stay on track too, since there are less unhealthy foods around the house now. However, my diet is lacking in a few areas. Since I do not tolerate calcium well, I do not consume milk products and that leaves me needing more calcium in my diet. I will start taking a calcium supplement in addition to my daily multivitamin to fix this shortfall. I am also lacking in my fiber intake, but my mother informed me about a fiber powder you mix in your drink once...