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Do you tend to think of health in terms of medical technology? With all the amazing advances in medicine it's easy to lose sight of the fact that good health also depends on our perspective on life, and how we choose to live it. As many women have known for years, however, your health depends as much on your connection to the friends, family and loved ones around you.

Of course, the biggest connection of all is to yourself. If you take the time to take care of yourself and don't allow a busy schedule to prevent you from exercising and keeping healthy eating habits, you're “keeping it upbeat” and giving yourself permission to lead the healthy life you deserve.

So as you continue to reach for your health goals, remember to take a step back and see how the choices you make each day can affect your health over time. Here are a few suggestions to help get you started.

Live the Go Red Lifestyle
It's not hard to reduce your risk for heart disease. Start today with small, simple actions like these:

  • Celebrate with a checkup. Let each birthday remind you that it's time for your yearly checkup and a talk with your doctor about how you can reduce your risk for heart disease. The Go Red for Women Heart CheckUp is a great way to learn your numbers and prepare for your next doctor visit.
  • Get off the couch. Step, march or jog in place for at least 30 minutes five days a week, you can even do it while watching TV. Need help staying motivated? Take the Choose To Move challenge!
  • Quit smoking in four steps. Can't go "cold turkey"? Cut the number of cigarettes you smoke each day in half; then cut that number in half; cut it in half again; finally, cut down to zero! 
  • Drop a pound or two. Cutting out just 500 to 1000 calories a day can help you lose one to two pounds per week and gradually bring you closer to a heart-healthy weight. To help you stay on track, keep daily records of your calorie intake. The MyStartOnline tool makes it easy!
  • Become a salt detective. Check out the Nutrition Facts panel on packaged foods to see how much sodium (salt) they contain. Aim for a total intake of no more than 2,300 milligrams (about a teaspoon of salt) per day. 
  • Learn how to read food package labels to help you make healthier choices. And Look for the American Heart Association's heart-check mark on food packages in your store. They're certified to be low in saturated fat and cholesterol. It's the heart on labels that you can trust.