The Story Your Body Is Trying to Tell You
There are four numbers that your primary care physician generally checks: blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and BMI/weight. Why? Together they provide a glimpse into your current health.
“Just taking one number isn't going to give you the greatest guidance,” Cindy Davis, MPH, RDN, Specialist, Employee Health and Wellness Promotion says. “But if you put them all together, they tend to tell a better story.”
And the story is one worth telling: whether you’re at risk for certain diseases and conditions. Blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and BMI/weight are all risk factors for developing diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular conditions.
“Knowing your health numbers is all about preventing disease,” says Davis. “And it’s especially important if you have a strong family history of diabetes or heart disease.”
For Jade DeMoulin her family medical history suggested she put a particular focus on her blood sugar.
“My A1c isn’t in the pre-diabetes range, but it is at the upper limit of the normal range and my fasting glucose also is fairly high,” DeMoulin, Academic Records Coordinator, Academic Catalog & Policy, says.
“My grandpa has type two diabetes and has for most of his life. I want to make sure that I make choices that help prevent me from getting to that same place.”
DeMoulin attended the Prevent Diabetes workshop so that she can keep heading down a healthier path.
“Going to this workshop was important for me so I can make sure that I stay healthy,” DeMoulin says. “I did know a bit of the information provided [in the workshop] but it's really great to go in and get a refresher because there's always something new to know.”
DeMoulin also learned about other factors that can influence your health.
“How stress also can impact things and to take time for self-care. I’m a high-stress kind of person so keeping strategies in my mind on how to cope with that is always good to remember,” DeMoulin says. “This workshop was a nice all-around look at how to address health.”
For Barry Boyd, Assistant Athletic Director, Football Equipment Operations, he attended the Maintaining a Healthy Weight workshop because he wanted to change.
“I’ve had some health issues and I wanted to make a concerted effort to get back on track,” Boyd says. “There’s a big misconception that everybody who works in athletics is fit, eats healthy meals, and works out every single day, but the days are long here. It’s extremely tough to be committed and focused on working out or eating healthy.”
Boyd used some of the resources from the workshop and took advantage of the Virgin Pulse Health Impact Program App to keep track of his healthy habits and upcoming health-related appointments.
“The things that it does track for me, I think, are useful. Not just weight,” Boyd says. “It tracks steps, mood, and whether you started the day with a healthy meal. It’s not all about tracking every single meal, every item you eat, but did you have a good meal?”
Davis agrees that focusing on small changes is a great way to establish healthy habits.
“In my workshops, I always encourage folks to focus on one or two things that you know you can do and do consistently,” Davis says. “Once you've got those down then maybe you can add a couple of other things. But it’s really important to focus on what's important to you and those things that work for you.”