❤️ The Heart of the Matter: February’s Heart Health Edition
- Anchor Pilates, LLC
- Feb 10
- 3 min read
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and while I could talk about candy hearts and rom-coms, let's get to the true heart of the matter. I'm making this February Hearth Health awareness! I’m here to focus on the real heart—the one in your chest keeping you alive and kickin’! So let’s show it some love, shall we?
February is Time to Get Your Heart Health in Motion 🏃♀️💓
Want to know the #1 thing you can do for heart health? No, it’s not eating dark chocolate (though I won’t stop you). It’s movement!
Great news—you don’t need to suffer through grueling HIIT sessions or dash up stadium steps to boost your heart health! A brisk walk is more than enough. Aim for a pace where you can speak in short sentences but need to pause for a breath—that’s Zone 2 endurance training, a sweet spot for cardiovascular fitness.
Want to be more precise? If you have a heart rate monitor, here’s how to find your Zone 2 range:
1️⃣ Subtract your age from 220 to get your max heart rate.
2️⃣ Multiply that number by 65% and 74%—that’s your ideal Zone 2 range for heart-healthy movement!
Can Pilates Pump Up Your Heart? Heck Yes!
Pilates might not be the first thing that comes to mind for cardio, but guess what? It absolutely counts! If you’ve ever powered through the Hundred, you know it can get your heart pumping. It’s all about the flow—and with my functional approach, we focus on controlled movement, body weight exercises at tempo, and intentional breathwork. This not only elevates your heart rate but also keeps your joints feeling great. Your heart will thank you—and so will you!
Fiber February: Still Going Strong! 🌾❤️
I’m holding onto Fiber February because fiber is basically your heart’s personal bodyguard! 🦸♂️❤️
Here’s how it works: Fiber—especially soluble fiber—acts like a sponge, binding to bad cholesterol (LDL) in your digestive system and helping to flush it out before it can sneak into your bloodstream and form artery-clogging plaques. The more fiber you eat, the better your body can keep those cholesterol levels in check!
So stock up on:
✅ Beans
✅ Whole grains
✅ Veggies
✅ Fruits
Your heart, digestion, and overall health will thank you! 🚀
Heart Attacks & Strokes: Know the Signs 🚨
Because knowing is half the battle.
Heart Attack Signs:
❤️ Men: Classic “TV drama heart attack”-style chest pain, shortness of breath, or arm/jaw pain.
❤️ Women: More subtle—fatigue, nausea, dizziness, or upper back/jaw discomfort. (Unfair, right?)
Stroke Symptoms (FAST Test):
🧠 Face drooping
💪 Arm weakness
🗣 Speech difficulty
📞 Time to call 911
If in doubt, get checked out!
Stress: Your Heart’s Frenemy 🧘♀️💆♂️
ICYMI, last week we talked about mood menus—aka, your personal guide to managing stress before it turns you into a frazzled mess. (Still haven’t made one? Go back and check last week’s issue!)
Stress cranks up blood pressure, which puts extra strain on your heart. So take a deep breath, get moving, and find your go-to stress relievers before your heart sends you a breakup text.
Words of Wisdom: Love Yo’ Self ❤️
Valentine’s Day can be all rainbows and roses—or it can be a reminder that Cupid sometimes misses. Either way, real love starts with YOU.
Self-Love Challenge:
1️⃣ Grab a piece of paper.
2️⃣ Write 10 things you love about yourself.
3️⃣ If this is hard, ask a friend or loved one to help!
4️⃣ Stick it somewhere you’ll see every day—because you deserve love, especially from yourself.
Quote of the Month:
“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” — Oscar Wilde
So go ahead—love your heart, love your health, and most importantly, love yourself.
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