Walking for Health

Walking to lose weight, get fit, and stay healthy!

"I am a slow walker, but I never walk backwards."
-   Abraham Lincoln

Why should you start walking? Walking for 30 to 60 minutes each day is one of the best things you can do for your body, mind, and spirit. Here are some healthy reasons to start walking.
  

• Walkers Live longer

The Honolulu Heart Study of 8000 men found that walking just two miles a day cut the risk of death almost in half.

• Walking Can Help with Weight Loss

Exercise such as walking is an important part of any weight loss program. You must still watch how much you eat in order to lose weight. But walking helps you build healthy lean muscle, lose inches of fat, and pump up your metabolism

• Walking Reduces Risk of Cancer

Study after study has shown that walking and exercise reduces your risk of breast cancer and colon cancer.

• Walking Boosts Your Brain Power

A study of people over 60 funded by the National Council on Aging, published in the July 29, 1999 issue of Nature, found that walking 45 minutes a day at 16-minute mile pace increased the thinking skills of those over 60. The participants started at 15 minutes of walking and built up their time and speed. The result was that the same people were mentally sharper after taking up this walking program.

• Walking improves mood and Relieves Stress

Walking and other exercise leads to the release of the body's natural happy drugs - endorphins. Most people notice an improvement in mood. A Nov. 9, 1999 study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine showed that university students who walked and did other easy to moderate exercise regularly had lower stress levels than couch potatoes or those who exercised strenuously.

• Walking Reduces Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke

Wake up and get your blood moving! Heart disease and stroke are among the top killers of both men and women. You can cut your risk of both in half by walking for 30-60 minutes a day.

• Walking Reduces Diabetes Risk

Get out and walk for 30 minutes a day as your minimum daily requirement for health and to prevent Type 2 diabetes. A study by the Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, discovered that walking for 30 minutes a day cut diabetes risks for overweight as well as non-overweight men and women. Walking also helps maintain blood sugar balance for those with diabetes.

• Walking Helps Prevent Weight Gain

If you add just 2000 more steps a day to your regular activities, you may never gain another pound.

·         Walking Improves Mood and Relieves Stress

You can reap the benefits of walking from doing several shorter walks or one longer walk during the day. 

Resource provided by Prevention.com