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Many of us try to live life to the full. This may mean parties, socialising,
drinking down the pub, good meals and late nights, if we're lucky! Yet should
we stop to think about the harm and damage we may be doing to our bodies?
And should we care?
Below we have highlighted some of the habits and lifestyle choices we often
indulge in. Our aim is to take a close look at each and try to identify
issues that may arise.
Generally women should eat 1500 - 2000 calories a day. This should break
down into 50 - 60 % carbohydrates, 15 - 30 % fats and the rest in protein.
And the best time to eat ... breakfast time. At this time our bodies can
burn more calories and this approach sets up your body to burn lots of extra
calories throughout the rest of the day.
Many women fail to follow these simple guidelines. And as a consequence,
we are a nation of ballooning women.
It is hoped that you notice the guidelines above don't stress what we should
and shouldn't eat. This is because if we follow the above hints and tips
then the occasional treat or bad habit won't make much difference to our
waist bands.
Women, in general, shouldn't drink as much booze as men. Yet looking into
many pubs on a Friday night and you would never have guessed it!
Men can drink more alcohol without it having the dramatic effects that women
suffer - killer hangovers and sudden weight gain - because of two main factors,
their general size (or mass) and their muscle percentage (more muscle equals
more calories burnt etc).
Too much alcohol a week for women (over 21 units per week) can increase
blood pressure, cloud the mind and even cause some forms of cancer.
Smokers run the risk of heart disease 23 % higher than nonsmokers. Smoking
only 1 - 14 cigarettes a day increases our chance of contracting lung cancer
by 8 times!
1. Weight is a very important measure of health. If we are underweight or
overweight, we run the risk of becoming susceptible to diseases which may
not be such a concern to someone of an ideal weight e.g. Heart disease,
osteoporosis, liver problems, cardiovascular complications etc.
2. Hair and nails. Thinning or loss of hair can be a symptom of stress,
as can dry or dull hair. To correct this, aim to reduce stress (meditation,
yoga etc) and eat a nutritious diet full of vitamins and minerals (A, B12
etc). Brittle nails may suggest a lack or iron and calcium in the diet.
Because of the link with nails and calcium, your nails may also suggest
future problems of brittle bone disease and osteoporosis.
Additional information
Health questionnaire - Am I ready for
exercise?
Weight loss ideas
Check my ideal weight
How many calories do I need to lose
weight effectively?
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