by Cailen Ascher | Photo by Wendy Mccardle

As the old adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. But for women in the midst of busy lives and schedules, balancing demanding careers and growing families, sometimes even the simplest lessons get lost in the mix. Especially when it comes to doing the right things to maintain your own health. We sat down with Dr. Carolyn Ianieri, an obstetrician/gynecologist at the Doylestown Women’s Health Center, to remind us that making time for fitness, ensuring proper nutrition and pursuing preventative medicine are the most-effective and efficient ways to enjoy a lifetime of good health.

Nobody Gonna Break-a My Stride

“Our ultimate goal is to prevent sickness altogether, not just treat issues once they arise,” Ianieri says. “Our aim is to help our patients develop a lifestyle that promotes wellness. We try to lead by example, showing our patients the benefits of a well-balanced life by living actively ourselves.” And first on her list? Fitness and exercise.

“Make simple changes you can incorporate comfortably into your life, rather than trying to modify too many habits at once.” – Dr. Carolyn Ianieri

“Movement is key to taking charge of your health,” Ianieri stresses. Along with the added benefits of decreasing your waistline and perhaps opening up a new world of fashion possibilities, exercising helps fend off health problems stemming from obesity such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, difficult pregnancies or deliveries and heart disease. “Fitness is important at all life stages whether you’re a young girl looking to set yourself up for a lifetime of health, a woman in her 30s trying to get pregnant or a woman reaching menopause and concerned about weight gain,” she says.

Ianieri suggests taking small steps with a new exercise regimen, starting with just 10 minutes a day. “Setting a goal of losing 25 pounds can be overwhelming,” she explains. “It’s better to set yourself up for success with a schedule you can stick to. Once a person starts feeling better and sees the benefits of regular exercise, they’ll naturally want to increase their commitment.” You Are What You Eat It might be another old saying, but they last for a reason. “Fitness and nutrition go hand-in-hand, and healthy eating sets you up for optimum health,” Ianieri says. “A woman who eats a balanced diet will undoubtedly get more folic acid, calcium and vital nutrients into her system. We know that folic acid is especially critical before and during pregnancy to reduce the risks of birth defects.”

Again, she notes, small, manageable changes are key: “Make simple changes you can incorporate comfortably into your life rather than trying to modify too many habits at once.” Those adjustments can be simply trying whole grains, educating yourself about true portion sizes or choosing water and unsweetened iced tea over soda. Ianieri also suggests packing lunch or snacks if you’re going to be out for the day. “If you have healthy food at your fingertips, you’ll be much less likely to stop for fast food or indulge in something unhealthy,” she says.

Thinking Ahead

Ianieri and her colleagues spend a lot of time educating their patients about the importance of vaccinations throughout their life. “They don’t just protect the patient; they protect their loved ones as well,” she says. Ianieri points to the resurgence of pertussis, or whooping cough, which once claimed the lives of up to 10,000 Americans annually. “Pertussis often manifests as a mere cold in adults but can result in severe illness or even death in infants,” she explains.

It’s an especially important concern for those with children and women who are planning on starting a family of their own. Ianieri advises all women to speak with their health-care providers about pertussis, as well as flu vaccinations, for new parents and anyone who might consistently spend time with their baby “Pregnant women are considered to be in the high-risk group for contracting the flu and related complications,” she explains. “We follow CDC guidelines and recommend that all pregnant women be vaccinated.”

For more information, go online at doylestownwomenshealth.com or call 215-340-2229.