In this day and time, more and more people are becoming conscious of their health. I hope you are in that group of people; if not, this article may be of interest to you. I have over the last few years become more conscious of my health choices...maybe because I'm getting older. But I have begun to make better food choices and started to exercise.

Some health tips that I think are important to begin to boost your health are as follows:

Annual Doctor Visits - If you are not already going to your doctor on an annual basis for your checkup, you should be. I don't always agree with doctors prescribing all those pills to people, but doctors do serve there purpose where health issues are concerned. I look at my doctor as someone to guide me in decisions about my health and to let me know when certain tests need to be done. For example, women need to get annual mammograms starting at age forty unless there is some family history of breast problems then you would need to start getting them earlier; and pap smears at least on an annual basis once you become sexually active. Also for men and women, you need your baseline colonoscophy at age fifty. My mom is now 79 years old and just had her first colonoscophy last year because she was afraid to get one. I don't know how her doctor let her go that long without getting one. She is blessed that everything checked out good.

Add More Fruits, Veggies, and Grains to Your Diet - Begin to change your eating habits by adding more fruits, veggies, and grains to your diet. Make your meat choice a smaller portion of the food on your plate and increase your vegetables. Add a big salad to your meal so that you will eat a smaller portion of meat. And when it comes to snacking, keep fresh fruit and nuts on hand. These are better choices for you than a candy bar.

Exercise - If you are able, you should start to exercise at least three times a week. Just get up and get moving even if it is just walking around your house outside or inside. And our teenagers should get up and get moving at least five times a week for at least an hour a day instead of sitting in the house playing video games and on the computer. Try to engage in activites that increase your breathing and heart rate and that strengthen your muscles and bones.

Manage Stress - Make sure you balance your life...work, home, and play. Keep a positive mental attitude. I know that may be hard to do sometimes but stay positive about your situation no matter what it looks like. Take time to relax and get enough sleep. Most adults need 6-9 hours of sleep; children and teens need more depending on their age.

These are just a few suggestions to help you in getting started with maximizing and boosting your health. Always consult with your doctor before making any dietary changes or adding physical exercise to your daily activity. Remember that it starts with you making better choices. And when we as adults begin to make better choices, our children will begin to make better choices.