Walking: the many benefits

We all went for a walk around the neighborhood this evening.  It was a great night to be out and the kids loved it.  When we got home my tween daughter even agreed to play card games with us!  I thought about all the benefits an evening stroll can bring and after doing some I research it turns out just a 30 minute walk a day can do wonders for both your body and mind.

Walking helps:

• Lower LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol)
• Raise HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol)
• Lower blood pressure
• Reduce the risk of or manage type 2 diabetes
• Manage weight
• Improve your mood

All you need to do is have a routine of walking each day and walking briskly.  You don't even have to worry that because it's not hurting it's not helping... apparently regular, brisk walking can reduce the risk of heart attack by the same amount as more vigorous exercise, such as jogging. Yippee! (I'm really not the jogging type!)

My daughter and I made a pact to get out every day - it's fun - and so far we've been keeping it!