| Chief Minister Katy Gallagher MLA
As a busy working mum I know that sometimes it’s easy to put off things that seem, on the surface, to be ‘all about me’. Often, personal fitness and health end up at the bottom of the to-do list too. But good health — in particular good heart health — is far too important to be at the bottom of anyone’s list. And as the Health Minister, I know that it definitely isn’t ‘just about me’, either. It’s about the whole community. The social and economic costs of preventable heart disease are frightening. And turning things around is within the power of each of us. That’s why I make sure to try and exercise every day. I jog — good for the mind as well as the heart — and cycle when I can. Sometimes I take the stairs rather than jumping in the lift. I try to eat healthily (most of the time!) and I try to cook healthy meals for my family – which is harder than it sounds! I get my cholesterol levels and blood pressure checked regularly, to ensure that I’m on the right track. Most of us will never be an elite athlete, or able to transform our lives overnight but we can make small changes for a healthier lifestyle. Getting started is the important thing. Once you’ve started living a more heart healthy life, you’ll feel and see the benefits and you won’t look back.
After the Challenge Being a part of the 2012 Healthy Heart Challenge has been like having one of those appointment reminders pop up on my computer every day – a gentle nudge toward my goals of exercising and eating well.
I’m sure that all busy people find that some days or weeks are harder than others when it comes to heart-healthy habits. On tough or stressful days it’s easy to put off the daily walk or jog, or swap the piece of fruit for a block of chocolate. But of course these are the days when “doing the right thing” by your body is most important.
Being a part of the Challenge made me think twice before choosing the comfy couch over a bike ride or a run – no matter how tough my day. The trick now will be to keep those internal appointment reminders popping up, even though the Challenge is officially over!
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