National Walking Day is a nationwide call-to-action for Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Join thousands across the nation as they wear their sneakers to work on April 4, 2012, and pledge to start a healthier lifestyle as part of this annual event. MUSC employees are planning to celebrate National Walking Day by attending a group 1-mile walk around the MUSC campus at noon. On April 4th, take a moment to consider what you can do to integrate more walking into your routine.
There are countless physical activities out there, but walking is the simplest positive change you can make to effectively improve your heart health. According to the American Heart Association, the benefits of walking and moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day can help you:
- Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease
- Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels
- Improve blood lipid profile
- Maintain body weight and lower the risk of obesity
- Enhance mental well being
- Reduce the risk of osteoporosis
- Reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer
- Reduce the risk of non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes
- There really are so many benefits for such a simple activity!
It’s easy to get started. Just lace up your sneakers and take a lap around the block—or skip the elevator next time and take the stairs. When you go to the grocery store or the mall, pass those parking spaces near the door in favor of one a little farther away. At work, enlist your co-workers to join you for a walk over the lunch hour. Encourage your family to join you for a walk after dinner, or take a nature walk with them on the weekend.
Visit the American Heart Association’s Start Walking Now website at startwalkingnow.org. There you can find walking trails near you, join a walking club and track your walking activity. For more free heart health resources, including interactive tools, nutrition info and tips for talking to your doctor about heart disease, visit MUSC’s online heart resources.
