Take a Hike

news you may not knowLooking Good...

Ah, the weekend. This is great. You've decided you're finally going to get serious about your health and, with all the talk about walking, you think it's a good way to start. So, let's see. Maybe the Internet will give you some guidance. So, you plop down in the chair and start to surf.

...Six agonizing hours later, you give it all up. You've visited well over 100 sites that tout the benefits of walking - and come away with about 70 different recommendations on how to "do it right." Arghh!! Can it really be this difficult?

Well, maybe not quite this difficult - but, the number of programs, plans, and promises does quickly overwhelm one's resolve. Let's face it. It took a lot simply to decide to exercise. Now, you want to keep it simple.

Dr. James Levine, of Mayo Clinic, agrees. He says to forget about all the fancy programs and concentrate on one thing: get outside and walk. Around the block, down the street, to the mall and back, past the creek - fast or slow, long or short, all at once or with a break or two...

Sorry... But, you get the idea. Dr. Levine says all walking is good for what ails you. And, he points out, it's free and requires no fancy equipment. It's the perfect do-it-yourself exercise program.

Consider these benefits of walking:

-Walking reduces your risk of heart attack.

-It helps you maintain a healthy blood pressure.

-It helps you manage your weight.

-Walking reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

-Walking is a stress buster - it puts a smile on your face.

So, what are you waiting for?

That's right. Take a good, hard look at yourself in the mirror. Then, mustering all your resolve, tell yourself to "Take a hike!"

To read more about the study, see this from ScienceDaily. To read more about the health benefits of walking, see this from the Mayo Clinic, or this from walkinginfo.org.