Blog #10 Factors affecting healthier lifestyle

Factors that influence women to adopt healthier lifestyles and engage in preventative behaviors so as to reduce their risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer:

*if they have seen a family member go through cancer or CVD
*if they participated in the care of that family member
*if they have taken any courses that talk about the risk factors of CVD and cancer and how to prevent these diseases
*classes that build self efficacy
*classes in physical education
*classes in nutrition
*many times when we see a family member adopting a healthy lifestyle, we will do the same. We like to have someone to buddy up with.

Sometimes we will see one or all of these factors and still not participate in preventative behaviors. I have a sibling that has seen my father go through cancer and still smokes, is overweight, and isn't proactive about leading a more healthy lifestyle. Everyone can do something to make themselves healthier.

Blog #9 My challenges with exercise

I never really had a challenge with exercise growing up or in my 20's. I didn't even have challenges after having children as a stay at home mom. The challenges began when I started back to school. Trying to juggle school work, kids schedules and activities, and family stuff and working in time for a work out is an extreme challenge. I have also had many knee injuries and surgeries after blowing my left knee out. I joined a gym about six months ago and that has helped a lot. I see people in the gym that are very inspiring to me, and it pushes me to go farther. For the past four weeks, we have been sick with just about everything under the sun at my house, and that has put a little damper on my workouts. I see challenges in the future, but I think there are always challenges and time constraints. The secret is to just get moving every day. We don't have to go run a marathon. Just move! As far as our diet goes, my husband has been a diabetic since he was 12, so we try to eat healthy. Our biggest issue is when time is crunched, going and getting fast food. We need to try to get better about that.

Blog #8 Most interesting topic so far

Of all the topics discussed so far this semester, the chapter on healthcare still seems to interest me the most. Our healthcare system is in such a state of crisis, and trying to help people figure out which route of healthcare is best for them is a strong passion of mine. I am particularly interested in helping the aging population with going to doctor visits, and making sure they understand exactly what is going on, making sure questions are answered, and making sure they understand their rights and benefits as a patient. I don't feel that we give our aging population enough help when they really need it. When I started in the Health Studies program, I would have never figured this to be a passion of mine, but through the many classes I have taken, this continues to be front and center for me. Having said that, Chapter 2 stood out to me again!!