|
Take a Walk and Turn Back the Years
Aging has nothing to do with calendar years. A 40-year-old
woman could have the heart, arteries and immune system of a 75-year-old,
while a 65-year-old man who eats right and exercises might have the
body of a 50-year-old. Exercise is a key factor in reducing the effect
aging has on your body. Just 30 minutes of walking a day can make you
healthier, more energetic and “younger.”
Walking Facts:
* The U.S. Surgeon General suggests 30 minutes of daily moderate activity
above and beyond normal activity levels. That’s approximately
3,000 to 4,000 additional steps a day from the normal 5,000 to 6,000
we typically walk.
* Even with no change in diet, 30 minutes per day of walking (the equivalent
of 10 to 12 miles per week) may prevent weight gain and even produce
weight loss.
* Walking reduces your risk of heart attack by raising “good”
cholesterol and lowering “bad” cholesterol levels.
* Walking reduces your risk of developing high blood pressure and other
forms of heart disease.
* Regular walking reduces your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and
improves your body’s ability to process sugar, lowering your blood
sugar levels.
* A brisk walk is a great way to reduce stress, depression and feelings
of anxiety.
* People who take three 10-minute walks each day have about the same
health gains as those who walk for 30 minutes straight.
So what are you waiting for? Walking is easy to do, doesn’t require
special equipment and shares some of the same health benefits as strenuous
exercise.
Source: Siversource, 2011
|
