When someone mentions the word "exercise," what's the first
thought that jumps into your head? For many, exercise means
discomfort ‹ hours spent at the gym, fighting through the
tan, lean bodies to lift weights or pedal away on an uncomfortable
exercycle.
Fortunately,
exercise comes in many forms, and almost all of them help
us stay healthy. Physical activity reduces the risk of cancer,
heart disease and many other serious health problems, and
evidence suggests that the simple act of walking may be just
as effective as vigorous exercise.
Researchers compared walking, vigorous exercise and total
physical activity with the incidence of coronary artery events
(heart attack or death from heart disease) in 72,488 healthy
female nurses. Data collected over the eight-year study revealed
that three hours of brisk walking per week was comparable
to 1.5 hours of jogging, cycling, heavy gardening or heavy
housework) in reducing the risk of coronary events.
So don't feel overwhelmed by exercise, embrace it! You don't
need to slave away in the gym to stay healthy. A brisk walk
might be all it takes to get you started on the road to lifelong
health. For a complete evaluation of exercise and nutritional
guidelines specific to your needs, talk to your chiropractor.
Reference:
Manson JE, Hu FB, Rich-Edwards JW, et al. A prospective study
of walking as compared with vigorous exercise in the prevention
of coronary heart disease in women. The New England Journal
of Medicine, August 26, 1999: Vol. 341, No. 9, pp650-58.
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