It only takes 2 hours of walking per week to decrease your risk of heart disease by 53%.
It takes 3 hours of walking per week to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 42%.
These statistics highlight that you don’t necessary need to do high intensity exercise to reap the benefits. The thought of running on a treadmill or riding a bike can be confronting for some, but walking is just as beneficial in reducing the risks of certain diseases. Physical inactivity on the other hand, is responsible for 27% of type 2 diabetes cases and 30% of cardiovascular disease cases.
You may still be asking how is it possible to manage to fit in that much walking when you are at work most days?
Well, for just two hours of walking, you can split it into four 30 minute sessions. You can then break that into smaller portions (IE: three 10 minute blocks) if you are running low on time. Incidental walking is a fantastic way of getting in some exercise without taking time out of your day. This could be getting off the bus or train a stop earlier and walking, taking the stairs instead of the elevator or even going on a short 10-15 minute walk during your lunch break. Together, these smaller spurts will help decrease your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Taking time out of work for a quick stroll not only gets your heart pumping, but also clears the mind. When you exercise, your heart is working harder, allowing for more blood, oxygen and glucose to be transported in the body. This also assists the brain to get rid of any unnecessary waste products, thus clearing your mind and helping you refocus for the remainder of your day
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