Healthy Conversations
Here's ongoing help for taking a more active part in managing your health. From daily living to partnering with your health care provider to understanding insurance choices, you can stay informed and involved as you work toward your goals.
Have an upcoming health care appointment?
Bringing the right information can help. Marie Savard, MD, explains how, with downloadable forms and tools.
Next: Getting started
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Benefits of Signing Up
Build an ongoing plan based on your needs. Set personal health goals. Plan healthier meals with great-tasting recipes. Even update your progress with tracking tools. Health care professionals benefit from signing up, too.
Sign Up
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Health Screenings
Important tests for you and your health care professional to discuss
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Additional Resources
Diabetes
Learn more about diabetes
self-care. Find a diabetes educator who can help.
Take steps for healthier living. Just Walk sponsors free local events. Bring friends and enjoy a walk together with local health care professionals.
Health Coach Call
Listen to an example of what a call might sound like.
| Play | Nutrition call (7:16) |
| Play | Activity call (7:22) |
Here are some important things to know about your Health Coach Call:
Our Coaches are employed by a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., a pharmaceutical company.
The information provided is based on generally available nutrition and physical activity guidelines and information applicable to most people.
Health Coaches are not licensed dietitians or health and fitness professionals, and they are not in a position to assess your individual nutrition or activity needs.
This information is not appropriate if you are pregnant, and it may not be appropriate if you have specialized dietary needs or limitations on the level of activity or exercise you can safely undertake due to your medical conditions. Consult your health care professional regarding your specific needs, limitations, and health conditions.
Health Coaches can educate and coach you on nutritional and physical activity recommendations for the typical person.
Health Coaches are not health care professionals and cannot offer medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your health care professional because he or she knows you best.
If you have a chronic health condition, check with your health care professional to find out if physical activity is safe before you start.
If during your call you have concerns about any condition, special dietary needs, limitations on the level of activity or exercise, any treatments, side effects, or adverse experiences, your Health Coach will refer you to your health care professional.
Activity Points Explained
This Planner uses Activity Points as a way to help you stay motivated and focused on your activity goals. Points are assigned to each activity in the Planner. You'll earn more points when you increase the duration of the activity.
For example, when you bicycle for 15 minutes at a moderate pace (12 to 14 mph), you earn 120 Activity Points. To earn the same number of Activity Points while cycling at a very easy pace (less than 10 mph), you would need to bike for 30 minutes.
If you are currently inactive or get very little activity during the week, a good goal to work toward is 500 Activity Points each week. This is equal to 30 minutes of moderate–intensity aerobic exercise on 5 days a week.
If you are moderately or highly active (more than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week), you may want to aim for up to 1,000 Activity Points each week. This is equivalent to 1 hour of activity on 5 days a week.
What you'll gain
At 500 Activity Points per week: Once you consistently reach this level (ie, 150 minutes of moderate–intensity aerobic activity per week), you may gain substantial health benefits. These benefits include lower risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and depression.
At 1,000 Activity Points per week: When you consistently reach this level (ie, 300 minutes of moderate–intensity aerobic activity per week), you may gain even more health benefits. These benefits include a decreased risk of colon and breast cancer and an even lower risk of heart disease and diabetes.
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