Blog 15

The most impactful and interesting topic we have covered this semester would be Understanding and Preventing Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer. This topic was significant to me because cardiovascular diseases are by far the leading cause of mortality in America. Learning about the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases will help me prevent this ailment before it is too late. Knowing that levels of physical activities and diet can be used to overcome this ailment was particularly helpful. I plan to use the knowledge I learned in this class to guide me as a woman in making wise health decisions. This class has also been a huge factor in ensuring that I inform my loved ones of healthy choices they can make as women to live a more fruitful and productive life.

Blog 14

When women are assigned more than one role, it becomes difficult to organize their lives amidst all the responsibilities presented to them. A place to start to find order in trying to balance their professional, educational and personal lives is to set precedence in all duties allocated to them.

Another way to find balance is taking into consideration that it is acceptable to neglect the less imperative duties. Learning to say no is also a good way to find balance; when women learn to say no, they are taking charge of their lives and acknowledging that they are only human and can only handle so much.

It is truly a challenge for us as women to find balance in our day to day activities, prioritizing, organization and renouncing inconsequential duties is a good place to start finding balance.

Blog 13

Declaring to drug or alcohol abuse by any woman should be viewed as a sign of dilution to gaining control of ones life. Drug and alcohol abuse is a very dangerous habit that could ultimately be fatal. Due to the double standard set for women, we find that a lot of women are likely to evade admitting to drug dependency, this makes matters worse because most women elude treatment.

A woman that agrees to have a drug or alcohol problem should therefore be viewed as a strong individual seeking means for help and willing to turn their lives around. Women have a lot of responsibilities delegated to them; women are often caregivers, homemakers’ wives and workers. Appealing for drug or alcohol help only states that these women are not ready to destroy: families, careers, relationships or friendships due to drugs. These women should therefore be viewed as champions willing to win the race of fight against drugs.

Blog 12

If I was under the suspicion that one of my friends was having an eating disorder. I would first and foremost approach the situation in a non judgmental but serious manner since some eating disorders are perilous and often lead to death. I would stay calm and be direct in my inquisition. I could state that I have noticed that their eating habits were out of line and would comment on the weight loss. I would also be honest in why I think they were have an eating disorder by remarking on any apparent weight loss or missed meals.

I would also express concern and state the reasons why I think they have the disorder. I would inform the person of the dangers associated with eating disorders and the harm it causes to the body. I would also target the psychological mindset of the individual; we live in a society that embraces “thinness” so this would be challenging. However, providing information on what “real” beauty is would probably be one aspect I would approach first. I would also try to make my friend realize that having a strong self esteem would greatly help in acknowledging her strong points, realizing that being thin has nothing to do with success and give examples of women role models that are healthy.

If my friend denies of having an eating disorder, I would express concern and emphasis the changes I have noticed. I would request my friend to get help and provide contacts of mental health workers or physicians that could offer help. I would offer my help in helping her seek medical help and more than anything I would do what good friends do for each other, be there for her, walk with her, every single step until she is completely healed.

Blog 11

If everyone lived with the future in mind I strongly believe people would posses a prudence attitude towards life. Everyone wants to live longer; thus, longevity will be a prime factor in how individuals treated their bodies and which types of behaviors would be implemented as a result.

With everyone thinking of the future, we would see a decline in risky behaviors such as smoking, inactivity, unhealthy eating patterns and stress induced activity such as workaholicsm. People would be more vigilant of how and what they did to their bodies. We would see a decline in smoking trends. We would begin to see a surge in physical activity as most individuals would desire to be stronger, more fit and healthy to combat infections associated with old age.

People would also pay attention to what they consumed, they would be aware of the foods that are risky to their health and increase consumption of fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates. People would steer away from fast foods and foods loaded with “empty” calories such as soft drinks and pastries.

I believe people would also be cautious of the amount of stress they would be willing to place in their bodies; with this in mind, individuals would reduce the amount of work load in their professions. Individuals would also take time to relax in order to reclaim some of the energy used up in their daily activities. People would also choose daily activities with care, paying attention to what their bodies can and cannot handle. Women especially carry the burden of multitasking, taking time to relax would significantly help most women reduce stress and depression enabling them to live a more productive and fruitful life.

If everyone lived with ‘our future in mind’ healthy living would be greatly advocated, most individuals would live with health in mind and thus promote a healthy living; this I truly believe.

Blog 10

Academic institutions can take a more active role in disease prevention for women by teaching ways of adopting healthy behaviors by utilizing knowledge already portrayed by health educators. Academic institutions can also provide leadership in forming organizations designated in promoting disease prevention in women.

By teaching the importance of healthy diets and physical activity and stressing the importance of reducing risky habits such us smoking, unhealthy eating patterns and sedentary lifestyles is a fundamental step to building a strong foundation towards prevention of chronic illness in women and maintenance healthy living.

Academic institutions employees can live by example, this can be done by practicing what they preach; this is crucial because people want to see results. By being healthy and looking healthy one is more likely to be a significant factor in someone else changing their lifestyle to maintain the educator’s health.

Academic institutions could also seek ways in partnering with health care providers, communities, religious organizations and local government officials to advance and execute health promotion and disease prevention initiatives for women. Health promotion can significantly influence women as it involves going out and spreading the word. The more women targeted the likelihood that a vast amount of them will begin implementing these programs in their lives.

Blog 9

The biggest challenge for me when it comes to regular exercise is time—lack of it. As a mother, a wife and a full time college student; time is scarce. On numerous occasions I have began an exercise regimen only to fall back due to scantiness of time. I am currently attempting a three-day work out program with a college mate and it seems to be working well. I think the fact that I have an exercise partner makes me more likely to abide to this exercise program due to commitment. I realize there are times I may miss a workout due to unavoidable circumstances like baby sitting but with a back up plan in place at all occasions; I think I might succeed in the program.

I have overcome the challenges of eating unhealthy by making sure that I always pack a nutritious lunch rather than buy unhealthy food. This sometimes proves to be a challenge when I am out with friends and decide to have meals in restaurants that do not offer healthy meal choices. I am attempting to overcome this challenge by studying menus of most restaurants and mastering their health foods. One other thing that is really helping me is talking about healthy food choices to my friends who apparently all want to incorporate a health lifestyle as well. Healthy eating has always been a priority of mine and thus offers trivial challenges to me.

In the next five years I may encounter less challenges since I will have graduated from college, my son will be older and I will have more time on my hands to incorporate a serious five-day a week exercise program. I may incur other challenges five years from now like the birth of a second child; I plan on tackling this obstacle by enrolling in a health fitness center that offers babysitting to allow me to continue my exercise program without any impediments. As for healthy dieting, I see no major challenges since I have been successful in ensuring my family and I consume healthy foods that meet the requirement set for healthy living. One way I have been able to accomplish proper dieting is by attaining healthy food recipes to avoid monotony and sticking to what my family likes. It is my hope that years from now, I will be a good role model to my children and I do pray for a healthy life to prove that healthy living is equal to longevity and happiness.