Heart Love: 5 Powerful Steps to Improve Your Health
WHAT “HEART LOVE” REALLY MEANS
My self love journey continues— somehow and slowly. A global pause like the one the virus gave us, makes everyone think a little more deeply about their health. In our household, we’ve always had good intentions. Eat better, move more, rest fully. We would start and then life would get in the way and it would get pushed to next week, or next month. You know how long that cycle can go on? Let’s not even talk about that.
Then someone close to you has a heart attack. Suddenly the excuses disappear. You jump into action— not jus tout of fear but out of love. Love for your life, your family, your body and your heart.
That’s what I mean when I say “Heart Love” its not just about organ health — its about treating your heart as something sacred. Emotionally and physically.
TAKING POWERFUL STEPS TOWARDS A HEALTHIER HEART
Yes, I mean actual steps—the kind you take with your feet.
At first, it didn’t seem like a big deal. I walk all the time, right? That’s what I told myself. But when I started tracking my steps and movement with intention, I realized: I wasn’t doing nearly as much as I thought.
This wake-up call started when a close friend—my age—had a heart attack. It shook me. Heart attacks aren’t supposed to happen to young people… right?
Wrong.
If we’re not paying attention, chronic illness doesn’t care about age. That moment sparked my search for something deeper—a path I now call Heart Love. Not just exercise, but intentional, daily movement as an act of love for your body, your future, your heart.
TRACKING TO BE BETTER
I’d been thinking about getting a health tracker for a while, but I kept talking myself out of it. I’m not a watch-or-bracelet kind of girl, and honestly, I didn’t know if I’d use it.
Then my husband surprised me with one (he knows I’ll overthink forever unless he does it). He got one for himself, so that we could start this health journey together.
Funny enough, I thought he’d use his more—but I’m the one completely hooked. Tracking my steps, sleep, and heart rate has made me more aware and more motivated.
APPS THAT HELP (AND WHAT I DIDNT KNOW ABOUT HEART HEALTH)
I downloaded Google Fit while trying to sync MyFitnessPal with my new tracker. That’s when I discovered something I’d never paid attention to before: Heart Points.
Clueless, I started researching. Did you know the American Heart Association recommends 150 Heart Points per week to maintain good heart health? I didn’t either. That breaks down to about 22 points a day. Easy, right? Wrong.
I assumed my 10,000 steps would cover it. It turns out that steps alone don’t count unless they come with a heart-healthy pace. Suddenly, my daily step obsession felt a little pointless, at least when it came to my heart.
Then the pandemic hit. With a restless toddler, a dog, and nowhere to go, my husband and I started taking early morning walks. No plan. Just a stroller, sunshine, and conversation. When we got back, I’d hit 30 Heart Points and knocked out half my steps in less time than usual. I was shocked and hooked. It wasn’t just exercise anymore. It was time together. Joy. And progress I could track.
WALKING IS GOOD FOR OUR HEART, OKAY IT’S GREAT
Our morning walk has become a daily ritual. The kids are out of the house, and we are finally doing something just for ourselves—and our hearts.
In just a month, we have come to love these walks. They start our day right. We have our routine down to 35–45 minutes (depending on how long our dog wants to sniff every blade of grass). The best part? I hit my Heart Points goal before my husband gets his first sip of coffee.
Let’s hope this rhythm continues even when life returns to “normal.”, because this small habit is changing everything.
And now…
On to the next step of being healthy.
Want to follow along? check back for the next post in the Self Love series.