In honor of National Women’s Health Week, I thought I would share with all of you ladies what I consider to be the most important measures you can take to create a healthier you!
Now, you may be wondering why you should listen to me. Well, here’s why:
I walk my talk. Everything I am about to tell you I also do myself.
I am 54 years old, take no medications at all, and consistently maintain a 120-pound bodyweight without ever dieting.
I am loaded with energy—enough to allow me to prepare for my upcoming test for 4th degree black belt in karate this August, as well as train for 2 full marathons in the fall.
And most importantly, I truly care about you. Trust me, if I didn’t care, I certainly would not be up at the crack of dawn every day writing to you!
So let’s get started! Here are my…
Top 6 tips for women’s health
Tip #1: Find the right doctor
Your doctor is supposed to be your partner in supporting your good health…
So if yours is not willing to listen to your concerns or answer your questions, if he/she makes you feel uncomfortable, pressured, rushed, stupid or intimidated, or their only answer for every problem you have is what drug(s) they can give you, please find another.
There are a great many wonderful doctors out there who truly care about their patients, and you deserve to work with someone like that—not someone that treats you like cattle. Try to find one who practices integrative medicine—blending holistic measures with modern medicine to find the very best approach to help you achieve better health.
My personal doctor is Dr. John Salerno of the Salerno Center for Complementary Medicine in Manhattan, and he is a BIG reason for my strong state of health!
Tip #2: Engage in the exercise that’s right for you
Regular exercise is not optional if you want to be healthy into your golden years.
The key to embracing—not loathing—exercise is to find what’s right for you! Not what your co-worker does, or what your friend likes or what some skinny chick on TV says you should do.
What YOU like!
So do some soul searching and find an activity you can enjoy. If you need motivation, here is a quote that is one of my favorites: Behind every fit woman is the butt she got moving to get her there.
Remember to get your doctor’s OK first, especially if you haven’t exercised in a while.
Tip #3: Keep stress low
Stress is a health-wrecker for countless reasons, plus it can make you look older than your years to boot!
Exercise is a great natural stress-reducer, as are yoga, meditation, deep breathing, visualization, prayer, essential oils, a warm bath and listening to relaxing music. Also, acupuncture is VERY effective at stress reduction—it’s my go-to in times of stress.
Also learn to say no when your plate is already full of commitments. Set aside “me time”—even if it’s just to watch your favorite show on TV.
Tip #4: Keep your gut healthy
Health begins in your gut for two main reasons:
1- Your gut houses between 70-80 percent of your immune system…so if it’s not healthy, neither are you.
2- Your intestinal tract is where your nutrients get absorbed and wastes are eliminated. It would not be a pretty picture if your body didn’t have the nutrients you need to survive and/or you resembled a clogged toilet full of wastes. Talk about the perfect home for disease to come knocking.
For tip-top gut health, be sure to have at least five servings (ideally more) of fresh vegetables each day, eat a tossed salad every day, avoid antibiotics and acid reducers, and supplement with a full-spectrum probiotic formula like Super Shield. Also supportive are probiotic foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut.
Tip #5: Get tested and explore natural therapies
As we women age, one of the biggest health challenges we face is menopause. If you feel that is an issue for you, get tested and explore alternative treatment like bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. BHRT has been a Godsend for tens of thousands of women, and it is far safer than synthetic hormones.
Tip #6: Optimize your vitamin D level
Vitamin D provides a triple boost in terms of supporting women’s health:
1- It protects against cardiovascular disease
2- It helps counteract the overzealous immune actions associated with autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s
3- It helps keep your bones strong and protects against osteoporosis
Try to spend some time in the sun (20 minutes or so) unprotected so your body can make some vitamin D, and to be sure your levels are where they should be, supplement with a top-notch product like Optimum DK Formula with FruiteX-B.
Ladies, it’s time for you to take steps in the right direction to stay healthy and vibrant for many years to come!
Remember, you are beautiful, you deserve to be healthy, and you are worth it.
To your health and with lots of love,
Sherry Brescia
