Don't Like Running? Go For A Walk!

I love to run.  But, it is not for everyone.  For the millions of people who either can’t stand running or jogging or maybe can't because of previous injuries, the good news is that a study in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology has concluded that walking is as good for you as running to help you live longer and in better health.

Researchers analyzed data from 33,060 runners in the National Runners’ Health Study and 15,045 walkers in the National Walkers’ Health Study and concluded that over a 6 year period, people who regularly walk BRISKLY were able to lower their cholesterol levels, lower their blood pressure levels, and improve bother their diabetes coronary heart disease risk profiles as much as the runners were.

The key to this though is that you walk briskly, not sauntering or loafing along. Your heart rate should be up and you may even break a sweat.  You don't have to walk like the Olympic Race Walkers - that's really hard!! - but it should still be a vigourous activity.

According to John Stanton, founder of the Running Room, 63% of Canadians aren't getting the recommended amount of daily exercise, and it's adding up: heart disease, obesity, and high blood pressure are all on the rise. It is the same story in the United States where the US Surgeon General has declared that obesity is the greatest threat to that country.

 

But something as simple as taking a few extra steps a day can make a huge difference: moving more leads to more energy, improved sleep quality, and better heart health.

So this weekend do yourself a favour - go for a walk, a brisk one!