It’s Cholesterol Awareness Month! How moving more can help you self-manage your cholesterol levels
October is National Cholesterol Awareness Month and here at KiActiv® we decided to take this opportunity to discuss how physical activity, along with its numerous health benefits, can help you maintain healthy cholesterol levels and lead a healthier, happier life.
Cholesterol is a type of fat contained in our blood which is produced in the liver. It is also found in some foods that are high in saturated fat such as dairy, red meat and fried foods. Cholesterol is contained in every cell in your body and it has an important role in normal body functioning. However, if the level of cholesterol in your bloodstream becomes too high, it can lead to the development of certain health problems.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or ‘bad’ cholesterol as it’s commonly known, can build-up on the walls of your blood vessels, making them become narrower. As a consequence of this narrowing, the blood flow to and from your heart and other organs can be restricted or blocked, increasing your risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke (American Heart Association, 2020).
The good news is that you can prevent this from happening by making healthy lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy, balanced diet and making sure that you move more during the day. Physical activity is a major part of keeping your LDL cholesterol at a healthy level, preventing any further associated health problems (Gibbs et al., 2021; NHS, 2022). What’s more, being more active can also reduce your blood pressure, help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your risk of type 2 diabetes (Heart UK, 2022).
Physical activity can take many forms including walking, dancing, gardening, housework and many more everyday activities. You can engage in activities that you enjoy doing and feel comfortable with. It doesn’t have to be structured exercise to benefit your health! By sitting less and moving more, you can offset many of the long-term health conditions associated with having high cholesterol.
Our mission at KiActiv® is to help you take control of your health and guide you on your journey to make positive lifestyle changes that complement your normal routine. The combination of our patented technology, 24/7 access to a personalised online dashboard and one-to-one support from one of our accredited Mentors ensures that you will gain the necessary skills to self-manage your own everyday physical activity to improve and sustain your health and wellbeing.
Here is a great example from one of our clients, a 51-year-old female who is living with back pain and type 2 diabetes. During her 12-week KiActiv® Health programme, she achieved significant increases in her physical activity and continues to build on her success to this day.
Through small adjustments to the level of movement in her everyday life and by increasing her amount of walking, she was able to add almost 4 and a half hours of valuable movement and burn an extra ~300kcals per day. This increased calorie burn contributed to her significant weight loss during the programme.
“Since starting the programme I have lost over 10kg, something I have never been able to do before. I feel and look better and with the help of the data feel inspired to ‘go that bit further’ each day, a confidence I never had before”
After completing KiActiv® Health, she had a blood test which highlighted that her cholesterol level had reduced significantly and her blood glucose had reduced to pre-diabetic levels too!
As part of the initial 12-weeks of KiActiv® Health our client had 6 x 20-minute telephone sessions at key times with her personal KiActiv® Mentor and as part of the testimonial she shared:
“I found the mentoring invaluable as I learnt that all movement counts, no matter how little – for instance take the washing upstairs in 3 piles instead of one, it really is that simple. I found the online graphs and information easy to read and they themselves motivated me to do better and improve my stats and I now think about things like ‘should I walk or drive’ so much more.”
“I could not have done it without my mentor though, if I had just had the device, I know I wouldn’t have continued, she was definitely the jewel in the crown – thank you.“
We believe that everyday physical activity is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle and we are committed to helping you recognise that every move you make matters for your health and long-term wellbeing. If you would like to learn more about how to get started, to join hundreds of people in gaining control over their own health, you can register your interest here.
