1. Provide your doctor accurate information.  You and your doctor will know how much your blood pressure changes throughout the day and week. Your doctor can use your records to see how well your medicine is working to manage your blood pressure.
2. Prevent erroneous diagnosis and treatment. 25% of elevated readings are false, when taken by someone other than you. Blood pressure is a continuously dynamic entity, varying up and down as result of current demands for circulation.  Readings taken regularly over a long period of time will provide more accurate information, leading to proper diagnosis and treatment.
3. Motivate yourself to improve.  Measuring your own blood pressure is a good way to take part in managing your own health.  If your blood pressure is outside a normal healthy range, being aware of your blood pressure readings on a regular basis can motivate you to be more conscientious to make changes in your life to improve your blood pressure.
4. Learn how your blood pressure responds to different circumstances. Whether it is exercise or stress, checking your blood pressure under different circumstances can provide insight into understanding your body’s response.
5. Be more confident and rest assured.  When you know your blood pressure averages, you eliminate nagging concern and worry.

The LifeSpan Blood Pressure Monitor comes with a FREE membership in the LifeSpan Fitness Club.  Save your readings, upload them to your account, and review your history! Simple. Fast. Accurate.

Want to lose weight? Here are a few numbers to know.

• 3500 – The number of calories needed to burn to lose one pound of fat
• 100 – Minimum number of additional calories burned for each pound of muscle gained
• 500-1000– Recommended number of fewer calories to consume each day to lose weight
• 1200 / 1800 – The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends that calorie intake never drop below 1,200 calories per day for women and 1,800 calories per day for men, otherwise you risk causing an ongoing reduction in resting metabolism.
• 89  - Percent of people who lost 30 pounds or more, and kept it off for at least a year, by combining diet and exercise. (Only 10% succeeded by just dieting and only 1% succeeded by just exercising.) Survey by National Weight Control Registry.

• Try this easy to use Daily Calorie Calculator tool and see how many calories your body needs. http://www.lifespanfitness.com/article_weight.asp

Most moms have enough “stuff” and would rather simply spend time with their children, no matter how young or old.  Here are 10 fun physical activities you and your mother can enjoy this Mother’s Day, without filling your closets with gifts or your stomachs with treats.

1. Enjoy nature and take a hike.  When you stop to rest, enjoy the view and take a few memorable photos.
2. Play a family game of ultimate Frisbee or flag football at a local park.
3. Pick out flowers at the garden store then enjoy each the company as you plant them together.
4. Go to a Zumba class together.  If you’ve never been, you’ll both have lots of laughs.
5. Hit golf balls or play 9 holes.
6. Take a long walk and enjoy your mother’s conversation.  Bring the dog along too.
7. Play a tennis match or just have fun hitting the ball around.
8. Rollerblade or take a stroll along a greenbelt trail.
9. Shoot around or play a game of ‘HORSE’ on the basketball court.
10. Take a family bike ride. Make sure to let mom pick the route.

Getting a little physical activity will make you and your mom feel better before you go to brunch, picnic in the park, or have dinner with friends or relatives.  You’ll be surprised at how much you’ll enjoy the company and the memories you’ll make too!