HEALTHY CHANGES:
4 Steps Towards Overall Health
Step 1:
Understanding Your "Total Health"
Step 2:
Make the Commitment
Physical
Checkups
Tools
and Forms
Tracking
Your Progress
Step 4:
ACTION TOOL RESOURCE CENTER
Step 3: ASSESSMENT AND GOAL-SETTING
Physical Checkups | Tools and Forms | Tracking Your Progress
A. Physical Checkup: Why You Need It, and How It Fits Into Your Plan
Knowledge Is Key
The first defense against the "if" factor (if only I had checked)
is to take charge of your health and learn what you need to do, and when
you need to do it, to keep your body running at tip-top shape. After all,
when you buy a car, you maintain it according to schedule. So why not have
a similar schedule to maintain your body?
Our recommendation is that every individual wishing to make changes in their health and wellness should print the Personal Assessment Form (found on the next page), and complete it WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL. Even outside of the areas of physical health, a healthcare professional can make recommendations for improving your "Total Health" if needed.
Sure, making all those appointments may cost some money and be time-consuming, and while it isn't much fun to get poked and prodded and tested, the point is to keep preventable diseases from stealing your time, your health and very possibly your life.
The Starting Line
To get you started, here is a general health schedule for people age 20
and above. Please remember that it is a recommendation only. Your personal
health schedule may involve other tests, such as a fasting blood glucose
test to screen for diabetes, and it may need to be more frequent if you
have a medical condition that necessitates it.
- People age 20 to 45 should have a physical exam once every five years
- People age 45-65 should have a physical every two years
- After 65, a yearly exam is recommended (unless you have a condition that requires you to be examined more frequently)
Doctor Supervised Weight Loss
When starting
a new exercise or weight program, or any significant lifestyle change, it's
a good idea to have a checkup before you begin. If you determine that you
are at risk due to your weight, discuss weight loss with your doctor and
decide on a goal. Remember that even a small amount of weight loss can lead
to big health benefits. Your physician should supervise your weight loss
and health if you are in the risk category.
To read more about physicals and health maintenance, visit:
Your
Basic Health Maintenance Plan: Discovery.com
INSPIRATION CORNER
Visit MyPyramid.gov for a personalized assessment of your diet quality and physical activity status.