Be sure to drink water before, during and after your workout.

Use an exercise log to track your activities. Mark the time or distance of each workout on a calendar, and note how you feel afterward.

Start talking to your doctor now to see if you are at risk for heart disease and what you can do to decrease that risk and maximize good health.

Check your blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Knowing where you stand is a key step.

Smoking one cigarette per day triples your risk for heart disease. Smoking is bad for your entire body, so quittingis your best option if you have plans to live a long life. Speak with your doctor about a plan to withdraw.

Consume whole grains everyday to keep your cholesterol low and protect your heart. The best whole grains to eat are steel cut oats (groats) or brown rice. Oatmeal and other high fiber foods help to fight high cholesterol by reducing bad “LDL” cholesterol.

Eat plenty of vegetables especially the most nutritious of all vegetables: avocados and spinach.

Eat fresh olive oil that is not cooked every day. Olive oil helps to keep your LDL cholesterol low.

Use non-stick cooking spray instead of oil.

Use fat-free salad dressing, cheese , or anything else you can find fat-free. Try to eat reduced fat items also.