Know Your Numbers ... For Life!

By Reverend Collins A. Days, Sr.

We are besieged by numbers, statistics and facts everywhere in today’s society. Studies, surveys and experts on television, radio, newspapers and the internet present us with facts and figures on our health outlook, prospects and conditions.

Although the emphasis on health issues and trends is important, it can become a bit overwhelming, to work your way through the maze of information to find numbers that relates to your personal situation. To maximize your health and improve your health indicators, there are some numbers that you must focus on. Some of the numbers that are very important to your health awareness are:

• Blood Pressure
• Weight
• Cholesterol
• Blood Sugar

Knowing your numbers in each of the above areas and working towards the healthiest state, can be the difference between good health and chronic diseases or even worse. With a greater emphasis on prevention through health awareness and education, an informed health consumer becomes even more important in the effort to close the health disparity gap and increase your health quality.

High blood pressure is a key indicator of heart disease, stroke and many other ailments. It is critical that people maintain their blood pressure, lose weight if it is called for, exercise and eat properly to control your blood pressure. If medication is required, and prescribed by your healthcare professional, you should take your medication exactly as prescribed.

Blood sugar is another critical number in your health file. Find out from your doctor what your number should be and work towards achieving that number through proper diet and exercise.

Weight should be another important health concern. Obesity opens the door to many serious health concerns, such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke and heart attack. With the explosion of obesity in America, and our calorie rich lifestyles, maintaining a healthy weight is of great importance. With so much emphasis on junk foods, and fast foods, we must be extremely conscious of the real need to eat healthy, nutritious foods to nourish the body. We must concern ourselves with a healthy daily diet, and weight control.

Cholesterol, like high blood pressure has proven to be a silent killer. We can fine tune our diet to include more fruits and vegetables, less fat, sweets, and high calorie, high sodium processed foods, in an attempt to help lower cholesterol. Regular exercise, like walking four to five times a week will yield dividends almost immediately. Your healthcare professional can test you and tell you what your cholesterol levels are.

Your health numbers are important. Learn them, work towards your “ideal” numbers, stay focused, and be determined.

GOOD HEALTH IS YOUR WEALTH, AND YOUR RIGHT!

Rev. Collins A. Days, Sr. is the Pastor of Second Baptist Church in Atlantic City, NJ, CEO and President of the Vision 2000 community development corporation and the President of UBIA a missions partnership facilitation agency between African and African-American congregations.