Healthy Lifestyle Changes: Building a Heart-Healthy Future

Taking charge of your health is one of the best ways to prevent heart disease and maintain important health factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. Staying physically active is crucial for improving your heart health. Even if you already have a heart condition, exercising can enhance your overall quality of life. Adults should aim for at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of physical activity each week to keep their heart and body in optimal shape. It’s all about making sustainable, healthy lifestyle choices that benefit both your heart and overall well-being. 

Staying Active at Work  

Many of us spend the majority of our time at work sitting for long periods which can make it difficult to exercise during the day. Changing habits and scheduling your exercise before the day gets busy makes you more likely to stick to a routine. Any activity that increases your heart rate and lasts for more than 10 minutes at a time helps you meet the minimum guidelines for heart health. And remember, the more you do, the more you progress! 

Here are a few ways to stay active while at work: 

• Set reminders to stand up and move every hour 

• Try marching in place or walking in a circle 

• Take a walk around the office or outside 

• Do desk exercises like push-ups, leg raises, or chair squats 

• Invest in a standing desk or walking treadmill desk mat 

• Plan your lunch break around physical activity like going for a walk or hitting the fitness center 

Make Exercise Fun  

Mix up your routine with a variety of activities that challenge your body. This keeps things interesting and motivates you to stay committed to your fitness goals. To prevent heart disease and boost your health, try activities like: 

• Walking 

• Gardening and yard work 

• Dancing 

• Housework 

• Golf 

• Hiking 

• Gym workouts 

• Yoga 

Join the FiTT Program for Extra Motivation 

As you make strides toward a healthier lifestyle, consider signing up for the FiTT Driven program to stay motivated. If you’re already a member, don’t forget to track your workouts and water intake to earn points. You can redeem these points for amazing incentives at our FiTT store. For those of you earning rewards, mark your calendar for the first FiTT store of 2025! We’ll have an updated selection of incentives. 

FiTT store will be open on Thursday, February 27, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. It will be closed from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM and then will reopen from 1:30 PM to 7:30 PM. 

Make this year the one you prioritize your health – starting with your heart. Let's get moving!