Good health is no mystery. In fact, scientists are discovering that becoming (or staying) healthy is really easier than you may think. As long as you exercise regularly, eat sensibly and get enough sleep, you're well on your way to being your personal best. How do you match up? Just take this quiz.
- How much sleep do you get on an average night?
a. Less than six hours.
b. Six to eight hours.
c. Nine or more hours.
- Do you suffer from insomnia?
a. Often (most nights).
b. Occasionally (four to eight times a month).
c. Never.
- How often do you exercise vigorously (walking fast, running, swimming, etc.) for 30 or more minutes?
a. Five or more times a week.
b. Two to four times a week.
c. Less than twice a week.
- How often do you perform weight-bearing exercises (walking, hiking, running, weight-training, etc?)
a. Three or more times a week.
b. Twice a week.
c. Less than twice a week.
- How many servings of fruit and vegetables do you eat every day?
a. Between five and nine.
b. Between two and four.
c. I rarely eat fruit or vegetables.
- Roughly what percentage of your diet consists of fats?
a. Between 20 and 30 percent.
b. Over 30 percent.
- Do you make the effort to include omega-3 oils in your diet? (These include flax seed oil, canola oil, walnut oil, and oils from cold-water fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel.
a. Yes I do, every day.
b. I do, a few times monthly.
c. No, I usually don't consume these oils.
- How often do you eat fresh and/or unsalted nuts?
a. I don't eat nuts.
b. A couple of times a month.
c. A few times a week.
- How often do you eat red meat?
a. No more than once a week (or never).
b. Two or three times a week.
c. Four or more times a week.
- How many servings of low-fat dairy products, such as milk, cheese, yogurt do you consume daily?
a. Three or more.
b. One or two.
c. I don't eat dairy.
- If you answered 'c' to above, do you take a daily calcium supplement?
a. Yes.
b. No.
- In a typical week, how often do you eat breakfast?
a. Always.
b. Three or four times.
c. Once or twice.
d. I don't eat breakfast.
- Since your twenties, have you put on weight?
a. Yes, over ten pounds.
b. Yes, but five pounds or less.
c. No, I weigh the same (or less).
- Does your weight fall within the 'correct' range for your height and age? (Your doctor will be able to provide you with a weight table/chart, or you can look this information up on the Internet or at the library.)
a. Yes, my weight falls within the ideal range.
b. No, I am within ten pounds over my ideal weight.
c. No, I am well over ten pounds above my ideal weight.
- Do you smoke?
a. No. I also spend very little time around people who smoke.
b. No, but I'm exposed to a lot of second-hand smoke.
c. Yes, half a pack per day or less.
d. Yes, one to two packs a day.
e. Yes, more than two packs a day.
- How do you handle the stress in your life?
a. I find stress a positive influence.
b. Stress eats away at me and I often feel out of control.
c. When I feel stressed, I find a way to manage it (for example, through exercise or meditation).
- How much do you drink? (One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits.)
a. I seldom drink or never drink.
b. I have two or fewer drinks a day.
c. I have more than two drinks daily.
- Do you have a medical checkup (including, for women, a gyneacological exam) once a year?
a. Yes, I do.
b. No, I don't.
- If you have been diagnosed with a health condition, do you seek and follow the advice of your doctor, pharmacist, and other members of your health care team?
a. Yes, always, and I make sure I am as informed as I can be.
b. Yes, most of the time.
c. I try to but I often forget or can't be bothered.
- Do you keep up-to-date with health news (through newspapers, magazines such as Focus on bettercare, the Internet, TV/radio)?
a. Yes, I make it my business to keep myself informed and to apply that knowledge.
b. No, I don't.
- Do you have more than one relative who lived to 90 years or older in good health?
a. Yes.
b. No.
- Do you have a parent, brother or sister under 50 who has (or had) cancer or a heart condition, or has had diabetes since childhood?
a. Yes, and I do nothing about this.
b. Yes. I have discussed this with my physician and have implemented an action plan to help prevent this condition.
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