A long and healthy life doesn’t just happen. Everyday choices influence your quality of life. From healthy food choices, becoming more physically active, to working to improve a bad habit or behavior, there are many strategies to try. I will be presenting “Action Plan for Healthy Living” twice next week, sharing 15 lifestyle strategies for you to try.
The eating habits section of the presentation provides a healthy interpretation of the Choose MyPlate recommendations adopted by USDA I June 2011. Two important strategies are to choose more nutrient dense foods and to eat whole foods instead of highly processed foods.  With a new year ahead of us it seems like the perfect time to take a serious look at the six food related strategies I will  share.
The saying, “What you don’t use you lose” is certainly true as I highlight three strategies under the ‘Get Moving” heading. It is neither complicated nor expensive; it is enthusiastic encouragement from a middle aged Extension Educator who is passionate about eating right and moving more.
There is always someone in the audience who says, “I’ve been there and tried that, and nothing works.” When healthy food choices and the addition of regularly physical activity do not bring about the healthy life you were hoping for, perhaps it is time to consider other factors that influence health. According to the University of Florida Extension publication, “Healthstyle: A Self-Test” it is estimated that 7 of 10 leading causes of death could be reduced through common-sense changes in lifestyle. Six strategies will have you thinking of ways to simplify your life to reduce lifes stressors.
The final activity of my educational program will be to guide participants in developing your own action plan that is behavior specific. Wanting to lose weight is NOT an action plan, but cutting out a late night snack four times during the week is.
Plan to join me for “Action Plan for Healthy Living”  either January 16th at noon, at the Great Bend activity center or Friday, January 18th at 1:00 p.m. at the Great Bend Senior Center.
Here’s hoping your new year is off to a great start!
Donna Krug is the Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Barton County. You may reach her at (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu