News

Be Active. Be Healthy: A conversation with Drs. Carmona and Yong

People who live active lives, eat a balanced diet, and get regular health screenings reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, stroke, and cancer.
 

Building activity into each day brings many health benefits and is not only good for the body, but also great for the mind. Including at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day produces stronger muscles and mood benefits. It can help with thinking, learning, and judgment skills.
“We enjoy running and participating in local races whether they are timed or fun runs because it motivates us to stay healthy,” says Tze Yong, MD, Hospitalist at Holy Cross Hospital. “We also enjoy walks/runs that go to a good cause and promote health. As parents of two young children our goal is to be role models to our children as well as family and friends; we do that by eating healthy foods and staying active.”

“It’s about finding balance and enjoying what you are doing. Too much of anything is not usually good,” says Happy Carmona, MD and Dr. Yong’s wife. “It’s important to have fun which helps with motivation not only for yourself, but also for motivating children to stay active and healthy.”
The Yong family eats a diet full of colorful fruits and vegetables. They limit sugars, junk and fast foods, but say that every now and then they enjoy treating themselves.

“I love to eat my carrots and vegetables, but sometimes we get to eat cookies and ice cream too,” says seven- year old Grace. Her four-year old brother Mateo ads “I love eating and juicing carrots!”
The Yong family also enjoys being active together as a family. They walk, hike and bike ride together. They support each other and encourage health.

“Our kids are active for at least an hour every day,” says Dr. Carmona. “They really enjoy playing outside, gardening, and playing with their dog. We limit the amount of television they watch and don’t have cable or satellite television, which makes it easy. They enjoy making up their own games and just love to simply play.”

“We ride bikes, walk, run, hike, and play soccer. It’s fun,” says Grace.  Both Dr. Yong and Dr. Carmona participated last year at Holy Cross Hospital’s “For the Health of It” 5K Walk and Fun Run. They plan to participate again this year on June 16th. They plan to form a team and encourage more of their friends and family to walk or run with them.

“When you form a team and get others you know to participate with you in these types of events it makes the event that much more fun. It’s motivational,” says Dr. Carmona. “You can encourage them and they can encourage you!” says Grace.  June 16th is a day of activity, learning and celebration for health and wellness, join Holy Cross Hospital in a morning of health at the Taos Youth and Family Center. The day will begin with the 2nd annual “For the Health of it!” 5K Walk and Fun Run which leads into the Be your Best U Wellness Expo.  “For the Health of it!” is about families, individuals, and businesses coming together with local providers to support people in our community struggling with cancer. By walking or running, we all support friends, neighbors and families in Taos County who are facing cancer. You can register for “For the Health of it” on line at www.Taoshealth.com. You can create your own team, join an already existing team or walk as an individual.

Holy Cross Hospital’s Be Your Best U Wellness Expo begins at 9:00am.The Expo provides healthy snacks, demonstrations, information and educational booths on wellness options available in Taos. There will be free health screenings including blood pressure, BMI, glucose and nerve conduction studies, as well as a bike safety clinic, child development fair, and seminars on financial health, good bone structure, sports medicine and healthy cooking. There will also be yoga, zumba, cheer and taekwondo demonstrations.

Being your best you is more than just exercising; it is about being active and healthy for a healthy mind and body whatever your age. Whether you’re seven or seventy, Taos has support for being active and being healthy. Drs. Yong and Carmona and their family participate in healthy activities to support their health and their community’s health. For more information about “For the Health of It!,” Be Your Best U Wellness Expo or Cancer Support Services go to www.taoshealth.com.