National Walking Day was started in 2007 to remind people about the benefits of going for a walk. Annually, the first Wednesday in April is designated as National Walking Day and is sponsored by the American Heart Association. Go to their website (www.heart.org) for additional information about walking safe and increasing your physical activity.
As adults we need 30 minutes of physical activity daily and children ages 2 and older need 60 minutes every day of moderate intensity, fun physical activity. The benefits of exercise can be cumulative, so if need be, you can break up your exercise times into 4, 15 minute periods or 2, 30 minute bouts. Brisk walking can lower your risk of diabetes, stroke, heart disease and hypertension; as well as, increase your good cholesterol (HDL), lower your bad cholesterol (LDL), while helping you shed some pounds.
Challenge yourself to see how many days this month you can get a minimum of a 30 minute walk or other physical activity into your day. So just don’t sit there, get up and go for a walk.
Linda Altenburger, Senior Nutritionist, SNAP-Ed