Health minister Mark Scotland shares some of his tips on staying healthy for Men’s Health Month.
Observer: How do you keep fit?
Scotland: I don’t do very much to keep fit right now. I’m concentrating more on the dietary side right now. I don’t eat as much as I used to when I was more active. I’m much more careful now about what I eat and when I eat. I don’t eat late at night.
Observer: As a government minister, you probably don’t have as much time to play football and other sports like you did before.
Scotland: Well, I’m still active in that I’m moving around a lot. I’m not sitting all day long. I spend time with my children and that keeps me very active.
Observer: What advice do you have for other men on staying healthy?
Scotland: Don’t eat in the middle of the night or take big huge portions. It’s best to eat small portions more often throughout the day. One of my big secrets is drinking a lot of water. I hydrate myself constantly, drinking a tremendous amount of water all day.
Observer: How much is a ‘tremendous’ amount? Scotland: I probably drink about a gallon a day or more. I always have three or four bottles of water in the car. At meetings, I’ll have a glass a water every time.
Observer: Do you ever have weight issues?
Scotland: I monitor my weight closely. I weigh myself every day to make sure that I haven’t eaten too much at a big lunch the day before. I try to watch what I’m doing. I love to eat. I realise though that I cannot eat as much as I used to.
Observer: Do you get regular medical check-ups?
Scotland: I probably don’t do it as much as I should. I try to. I am approaching that age when I need to get prostate and other checks. I’m almost 45. I will be monitoring more closely from that age on.
Observer: Do you ever worry about cholesterol?
Scotland: I check it periodically. I am not diabetic. My cholesterol is OK. I do have a history of heart disease in my family. I’ll have to watch that more carefully as time goes on.
Observer: Any other advice? Scotland: Take responsibility for your own health and you should take it very seriously. Watch what you eat and stay hydrated.
Observer: Are there any foods you avoid?
Scotland: Like I said, I like to eat, so I don’t avoid anything, but I try to eat in moderation.
Observer: Do you drink? Scotland: I drink, but in moderation. Everything in moderation.
Observer: Anything you’d like to add? Scotland: Keeping a healthy condition is about taking responsibility for you own health. Go to the doctor, get your check ups.
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