Donna K. Arnett, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., B.S.N., past president of the American Heart Association, Dean and Professor, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky
copyright American Heart Association 

"So a large proportion of our population currently is not in ideal cardiovascular health. In fact, it's a minority. So if you feel that you're in that majority, don't feel like you're alone. So there are things you can do every day to improve your health just a little bit. So if you want to tackle sugar sweet beverages, set a goal for that week of having no sugar sweet beverages and replacing it with water, or other low-calorie beverages. You can walk. I mean, think through just how to increase your physical activity just a little bit at a time, and you'll find that you can move yourself from really poor health, to a little bit better health, with those simple changes to your diet and exercise."