“As you ‘Bite Into a Healthy Lifestyle,’ it’s also the time to make physical activity a part of your daily routine,” said Ocean County Freeholder Deputy Director Gerry P. Little, Liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health.
Little continued, “Each March celebrates National Nutrition Month. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages everyone to return to the basics of healthy eating by adopting a healthy lifestyle focused on consuming fewer calories, making informed food choices and getting daily exercise. The goal is to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic disease and promote overall health.”
Daniel Regenye, Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) Public Health Coordinator, added, “Daily physical activity is a crucial part of everyone’s healthy lifestyle, but unfortunately most of us don’t include enough movement in our daily routines. Regular physical activity strengthens bones and muscles, reduces the risk of chronic illness and fosters overall well-being. Additional benefits of physical activity include stress relief, better sleep and a more positive mental outlook.”
Physical activity is important for everyone at every age. “The key is to find activities that are both sustainable and enjoyable. For some, this may mean a light yoga class, while for others it may mean training for a marathon. Bottom line: Find manageable ways to move more during the day!
To maintain a physically active and healthy lifestyle, stay nourished before, during and after exercise. Before you exercise, look for foods high in carbohydrates, adequate in protein and moderate in fat and fiber, like oatmeal with bananas, almonds and fat-free milk. Make sure you drink water before, during and after physical activity since dehydration can cause fatigue and impair performance.
Ocean County Health Department Educators provide educational lessons to schools and the community on proper nutrition and physical activity. The OCHD is also home to the third largest Women, Infants and Children (WIC) site in New Jersey. WIC offers nutritional counseling to pregnant women, breastfeeding women and children up to the age of five years. You can call 732-341-9700, ext. 7520 to find out if you qualify for WIC.
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