Exercise is one of the best things we can do to keep our hearts healthy.
Our heart is a muscle and needs to be worked to stay strong just like the other muscles in the body.
You have heard the saying, you don’t use it you loose it! Being sedentary throughout the day for too long can increase your risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes , and obesity.
From a brisk 30 minute walk to high intensity training the benefits are many.
- Exercise can help:
- Prevent heart disease
- Strengthen Muscles
- Lower blood pressure
- Improve blood flow
- Control weight
- Lower stress and anxiety
- Reduce the risk of diabetes
- Improve sleep
- Reduce inflammation
- Increases HDL (good cholesterol)
- Lower LDL (bad cholesterol)
- Improve immunity
- Lower risk of a stroke
We can all benefit from moving more and it is never too late to start, regardless of age, size or physical condition. Exercise that is beneficial to the heart can be riding a bike, swimming, high intensity resistance training, walking briskly, climbing stairs, etc..
With a proper nutrition plan and 30+ minutes of exercise 4-5 times a week results can be felt within a very short time. Start with a family member or friend, join a group class or work with a trainer. There are a wide range of fitness apps available as well. This will help you stay accountable to yourself and eventually it will become a lifestyle!
Tracy Iverson, CFT, CPT, CSN, MAP, TPI
