The Benefits of Walking
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
While there are some things you cannot change (ie; gender, family history and your age) you DO have the power to stay active. And doing THAT will help you live a longer, more enjoyable life. So, what should you consider first?
Speak with your physician
I know you hear this all the time. Frankly, its one of the simplest steps to take and the one most often ignored.
We’re NOT saying, “You need permission”, but rather “Your physician KNOWS you, your history and a whole lot more.” Speak with this medical professional about what you’d like to accomplish. You’ll likely receive a smile and congratulations as well as recommendations on the type of activities to perform as well as what to avoid. If you’re just beginning this journey toward a healthier lifestyle, start-smart. Many enthusiastic Americans decide to “get fit” and start exercising in a manner that’s too aggressive. The danger here is less about doing permanent damage to your body than your new attitude. Many have seen the affects of a New Year’s resolution – According to Huffington Post, on average 64% will lose interest in 6 months. YOU CAN DO BETTER! Speaking with your doctor can help you avoid injuring yourself in the early stages and set you up for success!
Exercise that’s good for ANY age: Walking
Walking can be done by almost anyone. Pace, terrain, indoors or out, this exercise is one of our favorites at Vein Specialists of Arizona because of the options. If you want to go all-out and purchase the best running shoes, you can. If you’re on a tighter budget, simple and safe footwear will most likely be fine. Just be sure that your footgear meets the needs of your walking regimen.
Healthy Blood Sugar Levels: Taking a brisk walk burns off the sugar spike that occurs naturally after dinner or any large meal. The results happen almost immediately and can last a full 24 hours!
Heart-Smart: The old saying that “its not the destination, it’s the journey” applies here. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researchers compared “walkers” and “runners”. If you’re covering the same distance, your heart is receiving almost the same benefit.
For Women, Less Stress: Walking through menopause
We’re not saying that a good walk will cure menopause (Ladies, if only THAT were true!) We ARE saying a Temple University study does show correlation between reduced menopausal anxiety and walking.
For Men over 70, Step into a better life
A researcher team at Concord Hospital in Sydney, Australia, chose to study the correlation between walking speed and longevity. This 5-year study The researchers noted during their follow-up that those men walking at a higher rate of speed – 3 miles (5km) per hour outlived their slower counterparts in the study.
Meet the Doctor
Dr. Alpern is a Cardiovascular Surgeon and Vein Specialist. Throughout the years of training, teaching and clinical experience in the field of cardiovascular medicine, he’s treated many patients for spider veins, varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, venous stasis leg ulcers and cellulitis. Vein Specialists of Arizona enjoy meeting with and helping our clients enjoy a longer, more satisfying life.
