February 13, 2024- Switching from an unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle to healthy eating and exercise can be daunting. According to Mayo Clinic’s Juan Cardenas Rosales, M.D., an internal medicine physician and medical director of the international medicine practice at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, there are small steps that patients can take that lead to a heart-healthy life. Drinking lots of water, gradually substituting foods that are healthier, and exercising a little bit each day are small changes that can add up to bigger impact.
Taking the first step can be difficult, whether trying to eat a nutritious diet, exercise more or both, Dr. Cardenas says. That is in part because people often set high expectations for themselves and try to reach them immediately, rather than approaching it as a process.