In six days I will hopefully have all my health issues resolved, having had surgery to remove a benign pituitary tumour at the base of my brain.

I could have ignored the weight gain and other symptoms, however I’m glad I decided to pay a visit to my doctor and was able to find out the cause of the changes in my body.

Below are a few ways to guard your health:

1. Go for regular check-ups

If you’re used to ignoring your body’s signals, it can be a challenging habit to break. Having regular physicals or check-ups will ensure that any medical issues are spotted early. Having a routine appointment also helps keep you informed of your state of health and can encourage you to lead a healthier life.

2. Pay attention to your health

Our eating, exercise, stress level, as well as our mental health all combine to determine how healthy we are. Ignoring your health is the quickest way to illness. It means less time with your friends and family; it can make it challenging to work.

3. Go easy on the caffeine

Multiple cups of coffee over the day can push you on an energy rollercoaster. While the high may give you a boost, the low points can kill your mood and make you less productive. Caffeine can also act as an irritant to the digestive system which can lead to nausea. Do yourself a favour and replace a couple of those cups with a few glasses of water.

4. Cut back on the sweet treats

Honestly sweets are my absolute favourite, especially baked goods. However just like caffeine, they can cause spikes in your blood sugar that damage your productivity. Sugar also leads to weight gain, skin problems and lack of focus. So if you’re striving to take care of your health, cut back on sugar as much as you can. This means saying no to treats such as glass candy and doughnuts. It means snacking on fresh fruit or veggie sticks with hummus instead of your usual chocolate bar. It means replacing your afternoon drinks with water – it doesn’t have to boring, try sparkling instead of still and add a slice of lime. Swap them out for a month and trust me, you will notice the difference.

Being mindful of your health can help you preserve your quality of life. When you’re in tune with your own body, you’ll be able to notice any shifts or changes – good or bad. That way you can stay healthier, get treatment when you need it, and feel better overall.

Please pay attention to all physical or mental changes with your body, get checked and B-Active For Life.

Betty Doyling is a certified fitness trainer and figure competitor with more than a decade of experience. Look for B. ActiveForLife on Facebook