Even Moderate Exercise Boosts Health

tidbits that tantalizeExcuse 117 - Inappropriate Footwear...

What's it going to be today? Let' see... OK, how about the car's a bit dirty and you have to search the yellow pages for a good car wash? Or, the laundry detergent is getting low, so you'll be tied up printing out coupons for your trip to the grocery store? Or, how about...

Sure, it's true. There are a million readily available excuses to skip the daily exercise routine. That's no problem. But, though the excuses may buy you a bit more couch time today, they'll certainly not buy you any additional years on down the road. Nor will they help you enjoy those years with vim and vigor. But...

Just a wee bit of investment in your health will reap huge rewards - both today and over the long haul.

A recent study reports that even modest exercise reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study followed a group of 106 sedentary people over a twelve-week period. One group took a brisk 30 minute walk fives day per week; a second group walked only three days each week; the final group exercised their wrist and finger muscles, as they continued their daily routine of channel surfing the cable television offerings.

Not surprisingly, the channel surfers showed no difference in their health after 12 weeks. But, both groups of walkers showed positive results. Blood pressure, waist and hip size, and overall fitness levels improved in the walkers.

This is a big deal.

This means that even a little effort - less than the guidelines of exercising fives times each week - is beneficial. Three times each week is all it takes to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.

It's worth a try. After all, what better way to develop new excuses to avoid "whatever" than to let your mind wander as you breath in the fresh air on your morning walk...

To read more about the study, see this from ScienceDaily. To read more about the health benefits of walking, see this from The Ramblers.