By STEPHANIE FAROH
Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County

Happy National Women’s Health Week. Ladies, when is the last time you took a moment to reflect on your personal health? Many women are concerned about the health of their friends and families and think of their own health only in times of illness.

Mother’s Day helped us kick off a week-long observance, from Sunday, May 10, to Saturday, May 16, which is led by the U.S. Department of Health and the Human Services Office on Women’s Health. The goal is to empower women to make their health a priority. It encourages women to take steps to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risk of certain disease through healthy lifestyle practices. Gentlemen, please share this with your wives, sisters, daughters, granddaughters, friends, and neighbors too.

Here are some important health tips for women:

• Strengthen your bones. Choose foods like low-fat milk, cheese, yogurt, or fortified soymilk to help strengthen bones. Three servings a day is a good goal and it’s a great idea to start today.
• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Try to include a fruit and vegetable with every meal and the brighter the colors, the better.
• Drink water. Sip water or other no calorie beverages to help hydrate your body and maintain a healthy weight. Keep a water bottle in your bag or at your desk to satisfy your thirst. Sugary beverages, including juices and energy drinks, are often a source of quick calories and sodium intake.
• Eat whole grains more often. Choose brown rice or whole grain pasta and bread more often.
• Don’t be afraid of the carbohydrates, as your body needs carbohydrates to function. Foods with a high fiber content help you feel full and provide important nutrients.
• Try new, healthier recipes that use less solid fat, salt, and sugar. Eat at home more often so you can control what you are eating. A new recipe once in a while helps keep eating and cooking exciting.
• Be active whenever you can. Set a goal to fit in at least two and a half hours of moderate physical activity a week. Being active 10 minutes at a time adds to your weekly total and can help you feel rejuvenated throughout the day.

If you’d like to participate in area activities to help get you moving this summer, you’re invited to try yoga or the walking program at Center Park. Both activities are a great way to enjoy activity and reduce stress at the same time.

Yoga will occur from noon until 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from May 26 until Sept. 3. The yoga program will focus on introductory stretching and all ages and activity levels are welcome. Bring a yoga mat or towel, comfortable shoes and clothes, and a water bottle.

Walking will take place from noon until 1 p.m. Wednesdays from May 27 until Sept. 2. Cost is $2 per session for both yoga and walking. For more information contact (574) 372-9554 ex. 224 or [email protected]. I hope to see you there.

Take some time for you during Women’s Health Week and be sure your health is a priority. Here’s to a healthier you.