Walk Your Way to Health!

Walking is a simple and enjoyable activity that offers many health benefits. Just 30 minutes a day can improve your heart health and lower your risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Because walking is a weight-bearing exercise, it helps maintain strong bones. Bone is living tissue, and it gets stronger when you exercise. Specifically, weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise helps to increase bone density such as walking, climbing stairs, jogging, dancing, tennis and lifting weights.

It’s easy to get started with a regular walking routine. If you aren’t a walking enthusiast already, start small. Even if you begin with just 5 to 10 minutes each day, you can gradually work up to 30 minutes of brisk walking in no time! Just gradually increase your time each week as you get in better shape.

Too busy? Break your target walking time into smaller chunks and spread them out during the day. You will still get health benefits. Here are some ideas to fit more steps into your day:

• Take your dog for a stroll.
• Go to the store or post office—on foot!
• Walk over to a colleague to ask a question instead of sending email.
• Get off the bus one stop earlier to walk the rest.
• Park farther away from your office, and use the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Golf—without the cart!
• Hike with a friend at a local park.
• Window shop at the mall or downtown.

Before you know it, walking can be a part of your daily routine!