Week 6: Full of Flavor - Walk to the Beach Fitness Challenge

Walk to the Beach Fitness Challenge Week 6: Full of Flavor

Week 6: Full of Flavor

This is a friendly reminder for WTTB participants to send in your name and week 5 mileage for the fitness challenge. I'll be glad to computer total mileage if you don't have your grand total handy.

Healthy Spirit: Full of Flavor

You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under food by men.
Matthew 5:13

I am amazed at the motley mix of people around me. Personalities, interests, abilities, and appearance may vary greatly from one person to another. As I read the Bible, I notice that Jesus approached people in unique ways based on individual needs, respecting various personality traits. The parable from Matthew 5 encourages us to be flavorful, full of life, a bit spicy. He does not insist that everyone become like robots, uniform in every way. Instead, we can celebrate our God-given potential, purpose, and talents when we worship Him and reach others.

Healthy Mind: Wadesboro

Wadesboro, a town of approximately 6,000 people, is located in Anson County, North Carolina. The town was originally called Newtown with a name change to Wadesboro in 1783 to honor Colonel Thomas Wade. In 1900, folks from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory arrived by rail to study a total solar eclipse after determining the town's location would offer the best view in North America. Sites in Wadesboro that are on the National Register of Historic Places include the Boggan-Hammond House and Alexander Little Wing, the post office, and Wadesboro Downtown Historic District. Some movies have been filmed in nearby areas, including The Color Purple and Evil Dead II.

Healthy Body: Hypertension

Blood pressure is a measurement indicating the force exerted against blood vessel walls as the heart pumps blood. In general, normal adult blood pressure is lower than 120/80. If the top number exceeds 140 or the bottom number exceeds 90, this could indicate hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. Those with high blood pressure often do not experience any symptoms, but damage to major body systems can occur due to persistent hypertension. A physician may determine different blood pressure goals for people with certain health conditions and may prescribe medication to help control high blood pressure if lifestyle changes are ineffective.

Lifestyle changes may help to keep one's blood pressure in normal ranges. These changes include eating a healthy diet with appropriate amounts of potassium, fiber, and water. Limiting salt intake to less than 1,500 mg daily may help control blood pressure levels. As we age, we are less able to detect salty tastes when eating; instead of reaching for the salt shaker, other spices and natural flavor enhancers may provide that added kick to foods without adding excessive sodium, or salt. Not smoking and limiting alcohol consumption have numerous health benefits, one of which is enjoying a lower blood pressure. Combining regular exercise with the above lifestyle habits may help us to maintain a healthy weight. Stress can also increase blood pressure; yoga, journaling, art, music, gardening, going for a walk, etc. may help reduce stress.

Learn more about hypertension at the National Institutes of Health web site.