How Small Changes Can Make a Big Impact on Our Families Health

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This post brought to you by American Heart Association. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Mommity.

Two years ago, I hit rock bottom with my health. I was the heaviest I’ve ever been, my blood pressure was high, and my doctor was suggesting medication if I couldn’t get it under control. My kids started to worry and would ask questions about heart attacks and how long would I be around for them.  023 This is when I found my “Why” (my reason for wanting to live a healthier, longer life) and decided to take a few simple steps toward a healthier lifestyle. I want to be around for my children, see them grow up, and enjoy all of those moments along the way.

What mom doesn’t want this? 1294353_10151688995761188_658419262_o I wanted to not only make this healthy initiative a priority for me, but for my entire family. I’ve greatly changed the way I eat, and I exercise regularly in order to show my children the importance of being healthy and active. 12247721_10153277902016188_5852523665828764793_o We have control of our own destiny. We all have our “Why” and I encourage you to dig deep and find it. Big decisions and small changes can have such an impact on our family’s health. 

When I found my “Why” and decided to take that step, they were small (but very impactful) steps.

You can improve your heart and brain health by encouraging your friends and family to take these simple steps:

  • Increase consumption of fruits and veggies
  • Decreasing consumption of sodium
  • Decreasing consumption of sugary sweetened beverages
  • Increase physical activity
  • Check and control blood pressure

Screen Shot 2016-04-05 at 9.45.20 PM My children are young and they are learning lifelong habits now. We talk about sugar all of the time and treat it as a drug. We talk about fruits and veggies so much that my youngest will ask for an apple, banana or baby carrots before asking for crackers. My children will go with me to the gym and they count down the days before they can have their own gym membership.

The thing is, the conversation can’t only happen at home. In order for kids to be healthy, they need to see healthy environments everywhere they go. They spend a majority of their waking hours in school, so it’s crucial that the conversation about health continue there, and be acted out. PE in schools gives the opportunity for EVERY child to learn about a healthy lifestyle, as they should.

We need to be advocates for our children, and for PE to be a part of their school curriculum. In addition to the obvious health benefits of PE in school, research shows that children who are active do better in school!

If you agree that kids should have PE in schools, show your support on Thunderclap!

12801654_10153457384571188_459042732361022411_n Are you ready to take the next step?

Together, we can make an impact! The American Heart Association has my back in this initiative and I have yours. Visit the Life Is Why website for health and fitness tips, resources, recipes and information that will make living a healthier life easier. You can even create a photo like mine and share it to social media! 

The American Heart Association is also on Pinterest and their boards are chocked full of recipes, fitness motivation, mom hacks, family health and more. Be sure to follow them!

I’ve joined this movement with The American Heart Association to empower moms like you and me; we all need the encouragement to choose LIFE and to take the next step so we can all be healthy in both heart and mind. 

Everyone has a reason to live a healthier, longer life. What’s yours? Comment below!

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