A healthy lifestyle can help you thrive as you move through the seasons of life that every woman experience. But, making healthy choices isn’t always easy! It can be hard to find the time and energy to exercise regularly or prepare healthy meals. Your efforts, though, will pay off in many ways, and for the rest of your life!

Steps you can take :

Be physically active for 30 minutes most days of the week. Break this up into three 10 minute session when pressed for time.

Eat a well-balanced diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Choose a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol; moderate in sugar, salt and total fat. Choose vegetable oils and soft tub margarine rather than solid fat (meat and dairy fats, butter, lard and shortenings). Use the Food Guide Pyramid as a starting point.

Avoid injury by wearing seatbelts and bike helmets. Use smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the home, and street smarts when walking alone.

Drink alcohol only in moderation (no more than 1 drink per day for women). Never drink before or when driving, or when pregnant.

Don’t smoke, and quit if you do! Ask your health care provider for help.

Use prescription drugs wisely-read the lable, ask your health care provider or pharmacist for details about the medicine, keep a record of the medicines you use, take medicine(s) correctly, and report side effects to your health care provider.

Ask someone you trust for help if you think you might have a problem with drugs or alcohol.