In this age of TV, computers and many more people working from home, our lives have become far too sedentary. I live at my computer screen and find that time goes by so quickly, it is dark outside before you know it. So this Fall I am committed to setting up at least half-an-hour each day to walking.

Studies have shown that it does not take a lot of walking for you to see and feel the benefits. You do not even have to walk that fast. Just getting out and about is sufficient to make a difference to your well being.

There is another benefit to walking. It can help clear your mind and refresh it – allowing you to ready yourself for any tasks that lie ahead. So if you are like me and somewhat in a rut or have come up against a wall, put down tools and go out for a quick stroll. You will come back feeling less stressed and more focused.

Let me know your thoughts on this subject and I will be certain to let everyone know how my daily scheduled walks work out.

Cheers!

I’ve never been a huge berry fan but since we have started eating more of them, I have come to realise just how tasty and healthy they are. For breakfast we usually have a combination of blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and bananas topped with yoghurt.

The blackberries remind me of a childhood anecdote, where our parents would take us out for hours on end picking wild blackberries just outside the city. They were sweet, sticky and delicious. Despite the thorns we had to endure to get to the tasty fruit in the bushes, the end result was well worth it.

It’s memories like this that make it all worth it in the end.

On a personal anecdote note this achievement has made me feel extremely proud. It has given me the confidence to make plans and follow through, something that has been a weakness of mine in the past…

As a bonus I am also a few pounds lighter and a bit trimmer and it seems as if I accomplished all of this without trying too hard. It takes determination and dedication to keeping to your regimen, but, by god, it is worth it!

I believe that I may have fallen into that category of late. Also you still have to exercise and practise sound relaxation techniques to stay healthy and maintain strong mental functions.

I recently found out that I have higher than normal blood pressure. It runs in our family and it is something I have always been aware of, however it is so easy to take things like that for granted. Especially when my eldest sister had a stroke because her blood pressure was so high, it is even more imperative that all of our family members be aware of this trait.

So how does my lifestyle and diet come into play here? Well I have discovered that I consume a lot more salt than I care to admit. I live on a very low-fat and low-sugar diet but I end up eating a lot of “hidden” salt in some prepackaged soy products. It is something I hadn’t really addressed until now.

I would hate for the story of my life to end in an anecdote about why an otherwise healthy vegetarian ended up in a coffin well before their time. So both my partner and I are taking steps to control our sodium intake and also to increase our walking and exercise regimen.

A recent medical study found that previously sedentary patients who took up walking three to five times a week were able to reduce their systolic blood pressure by five points after twelve weeks. A number which would put me back into the “normal’ category for blood pressure reading.

I’ll keep you posted on my progress as I intend on getting check-ups every week for the next twelve weeks at the very least.

Washing your body daily is the first step to healthy skin. Water’s properties help hydrate the skin and keep it free from dirt and allergens. It’s a simple basic step that we take for granted but will help your skin last a lifetime.

For the majority us, lotions will contribute a wealth of health to your skin. Dry skin needs moisture to retain its elasticity and keep it in good shape. Lotions are a good way to help your skin keep that moisture locked in.

For those who spend copious amount of time in the sun, a lotion with a solid SPF factor is best. The sun’s rays can age your skin rapidly and cause skin cancers. If you want your skin to last a lifetime then you must use sunscreen when out in the sun. Even those of us with darker skin tones can benefit from using a sun-blocking lotion.

So whilst you’re out there drinking water and eating healthiest, don’t forget about the body’s largest organ. Remember to take care of your skin.