The new year signifies new beginnings, and for many that means new health and weight loss goals.
For a fresh start in 2012, the Heart and Stroke Foundation has launched a new version of its My Heart and Stroke Healthy Weight Action Plan, an online weight-management tool that helps people set realistic goals and stick with them.
The free action plan provides information, resources and guidance to help people make healthy changes.
Healthy changes aren’t just measured on a scale. Making positive lifestyle changes can also result in improvements to blood pressure, cholesterol and other markers of health.
Instead of focusing primarily on weight loss, the action plan helps users adopt healthy behaviours that are conducive to reaching and maintaining health and weight loss.
This means incorporating goal setting, planning and tracking.
The action plan includes:
* a weekly planner that maximizes the likelihood that users will carry out the healthy behaviors they desire;
* meal plans based on individual requirements and preferences, and ensuring sound nutrition;
* articles to help reinforce core concepts such as healthy eating, time and stress management.
For more information, please go to www.heartandstroke.ca/hwplan.