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Do You Need to Step Up?

by Brick ONeil

heart.jpgHow many miles must you cover over the course of a day to earn an “active” fitness label?

a. 2 miles
b. 5 miles
c. 7 miles

You’ll need to cover at least 5 miles to meet government — and RealAge — fitness guidelines. That’s equivalent to about 10,000 steps, so clip on your pedometer and get counting!

The Flip Side
Know what fitness label you’ll earn if you cover roughly half that 5-mile ground? Sedentary. People who walk little more than 2 miles (less than 5,000 steps) over the course of a day are not considered active at all.

Get It Where You Can
The good news is that you can tally up those miles not just during the course of a formal workout but through any kind of physical activity — from puttering around your house while you cook or dust to walking to and from your car. But give yourself a head start by taking a 30-minute walk each day.

“Walking saved my life.”

So say many walking enthusiasts who picked up the habit and as a result either reduced their risk of disease, lost weight, beat depression, or enjoyed countless other major health rewards.

Although you may not be surprised to know that walking is considered a superior health habit, it might surprise you to learn just how much research has confirmed the far-reaching and diverse health benefits that regular walkers experience. Read some personal accounts from the “Walking the way to Health” Initiative (WHI) of how walking changed these people’s lives.

Some doctors and scientists even believe that walking regularly can reverse illness and aging, making the simple act of walking quite possibly the most underrated prescription for good health.

Read on to discover the long list of health wishes that walking can fulfill for you.

I wish I had more energy:
A short brisk walk has both a calming and an energizing effect, according to research. And walking may help you feel more alert and well-rested because of its ability to improve the quality of your sleep. Walking at a moderate pace later in the day can help encourage deep, restful sleep. Finally, the mood boost you experience from walking may further enhance your energy levels.

For more health tips, browse Encouraging Health.

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Posted in General on February 28th, 2008

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EncouragingHealth.com shows a wide variety of issues and concerns about our health we all should be aware. Only when we are aware will we be able to make the necessary changes.

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