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TextTake 12 Steps for Health
WHAT'S GOING ON WITH
'TAKE 12' THIS MONTH?
STEP 5: EAT LOCAL
Learn about locally-grown produce by visiting a farmers' market or regional farm. In the grocery store or restaurant, find out where the food you buy originates.
Why buy Local?
- You Will Get Exceptional Taste and Freshness
- Local food is fresher and tastes better than food shipped long distances from other states or countries. Local Farmers can offer produce varieties bred for taste and freshness rather than for shipping and long shelf life.
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You Will Strengthen Your Local Economy - Buying local food keeps your dollars circulating in your community. Getting to know the farmers who grow your food builds relationships based on understanding and trust, the foundation of strong communities.
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You Will Support Endangered Family Farms - There's never been a more critical time to support your farming neighbors. With each local food purchase, you ensure that more of your money spend on food goes to the farmer.
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You Will Safeguard Your Families Health
- Knowing where your food comes from and how it is grown or raised enables you to choose safe food from farmers who avoid or reduce their use of chemicals, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, or genetically modified seed in their operations.
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You Will Protect the Environment - Local food doesn't have to travel far. This reduces carbon dioxide emissions and packing materials. Buying local food also helps to make farming more profitable and selling farmland for development less attractive.
LOCAL RESOURCES
- Fairfax County Park Authority runs 12 Farmers' Markets April - October, and only sells products produced by vendors within 125 miles of Fairfax County.
- Buy Fresh, Buy Local offers online resources for finding local markets, farms, and restaurants serving locally grown produce and meat.
UPCOMING 'TAKE 12' EVENTS
Click for Event Details and Registration
'TAKE 12! STEPS FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH IN 2012' PROGRAM SPONSORS AND
PARTNERS
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The Take 12 program is free and anyone can participate at any time. This program is designed to:
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Have a question? Email Liz Ittner, FCPA's Fitness & Wellness Expert, and your question will be answered in the monthly "Ask Liz Ittner!" column. Send questions and comments to: Take12@fairfaxcounty.gov. "Ask Liz Ittner!" is supported by a team of experts in the health, wellness, and fitness fields, including the FCPA Fitness Directors.
Question:
Who is Liz Ittner and what is 'Take 12'?
Thanks for stopping by the 'Take 12' Web page! My name is Liz
Ittner, and I serve as the Fitness and Wellness program
coordinator for Fairfax County Park Authority. Without boring
you, I have 10+ years of experience working in the fitness field,
and have been working at FCPA since 2007. I am happily married
and have a young son. Fitness and wellness have always been a
passion of mine and I take my responsibility of promoting a
healthy lifestyle through the 'Take 12' program very
seriously.
12 months, 12 healthy goals. Take 12! is a free health and
wellness awareness program. Take 12! helps you make better
decisions about your health one month at a time. Each month is
dedicated to one healthy goal with credible information for
achieving it and a guide for forming healthy habits. Build upon
each goal from month to month and by the end of December, you
will have developed a sustainable balance in your health.
So what are you waiting for - sign up for our e-newsletter, come
to a workshop, and grab a calendar… take your first step to
better health today!
Question: Hi Liz, I am 41 yrs. old, and just got diagnosed with hyper-thyroid. Can you tell me if exercise is helpful and what foods should I eat? Thanks so much, Arleen
Arleen, thank you for your question. The thyroid gland is the regulator of the body's metabolism and is responsible for producing Thyroid hormones and sending them to cells all over the body. The most common diagnoses related to this gland are hypo- (underactive) or hyper- (overactive) thyroid. In your case, hyperthyroidism is characterized by weight loss, rapid heartbeat, and increases in anxiety, nervousness, and appetite, as well as fatigue and difficulty sleeping. There are a couple of ways to become diagnosed with hyperthyroidism through testing. Chances are you have gone through some tests that led your doctor to diagnose you with hyperthyroidism, and you are probably starting some medication to control the production of thyroid hormones. It can take some time to find the right dosages and combinations of medications before the thyroid becomes balanced again.
There are some lifestyle changes that you can make to ease the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. First, eat a balanced diet. If you sustained a good amount of weight loss, consider increasing your intake of lean proteins and extra calories from healthful food sources. Once your thyroid levels are balanced, resume a caloric intake that will not lead to weight gain, which can also be a side effect of hyperthyroidism. As always, it is best to consult a Registered Dietitian about nutritional and meal plan questions, especially when related to health conditions. The American Dietetic Association's website (www.eatright.org) has many tools for eating right and can direct you to an R.D. in your area.
It is also important to incorporate enough calcium and Vitamin D into your diet, as hyperthyroidism may contribute to thinning bones. The Institute of Medicine recommends 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium a day for adults ages 19 to 50 and men ages 51 to 70; and increases to 1,200 mg a day if you're a woman age 51 or older or a man age 71 or older. Additionally, the Institute of Medicine recommends 600 international units (IUs) of vitamin D a day for adults ages 19 to 70. You will need to talk to your doctor about the appropriate amount for you.
Lastly, exercise is generally helpful in any situation! It will help you to feel better about yourself and help to build bone density as well. Regular exercise (3-4 times per week for 30 minutes or more) will improve your cardiovascular system, your muscle tone and strength, as well as increase your appetite and energy level. It will also help you to be able to sleep more soundly at night. You might want to consider learning some relaxation techniques as well, such as meditation or gentle yoga. Sometimes hyperthyroidism can be stress-related, so learning to "decompress" will be helpful. Park Authority RECenters offer a variety of exercise options, including fitness classes, yoga/meditation classes, and fitness equipment for getting a great workout.
Thanks again for your question, and good luck on your journey to better health!
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Healthy Steps Archives
Did you miss out on the "Take 12" healthy steps from the
years past? Click the links below to see previous year's goals,
and start your own program for better health.
Contact Us
Email: Take12@fairfaxcounty.gov
Phone: 703-324-8423
Mailing Address:
Fairfax County Park Authority
Attn: Take 12 Program
12055 Government Center Pkwy, Suite 425
Fairfax, VA 22035-1118
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