Older Americans are particularly at risk from inactivity. Thirty percent of adults aged 65 or older report that they get little to no leisure-time physical activity.
You can get active in lots of ways, but walking is one of the easiest. It’s safe, easy to stick with, costs little or nothing, requires no special skill or equipment and has many benefits. For every hour of brisk walking, life expectancy may increase by two hours. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate activity like weekly. This sounds like a lot, but even short 10-minute walks can be added up over the week to reach this goal.
Not only can walking reduce your risk of serious diseases but it can also increase energy and stamina, improve mental and emotional well-being, boost bone strength, and prevent weight gain.
Every step you take is part of the journey toward a healthy heart. The American Heart Association offers the following tips to begin a walking program:
• Work with your healthcare provider to develop a walking plan suited to
your personal needs.
• Walk with a family member, co-worker, or friend. Partners can hold you
accountable and it’s more fun!
• Choose an easily accessible walking path, well-lighted, safe, and away
from dangerous traffic.
• Wear comfortable clothing and footwear.
• Stay well hydrated by drinking water before, during, and after walking,
especially hot weather.
• Set reachable goals, gradually increasing walking time to meet an
overall goal.
• Just get started! Take the dog for a walk, spend quality time walking
with family, park farther from your workplace, and use the stairs rather
than e elevator.
Sloan Garner is Regional Vice President of Communications and Marketing
for the American Heart Association Mid-Atlantic Affiliate. Her role is to reach people with information that will inspire them to make choices that will contribute to improved heart health and longer, healthier lives for themselves and their loved ones.
