Give us any reason to skip gym and still be able to live a healthy life and we’ll take it with arms wide open. Because who went to the gym they signed up for earlier this year anyway?
Studies show that now, you don’t need to feel guilty about those skipped leg days.
According to a study by American Cancer Society researchers have found that walking for six hours per week can help you live longer (unless you live in Delhi because sorry, but you are dying soon).
In a report published by Harvard Medical School, a result of findings from multiple well done studies, researchers found that walking reduced the risk of cardiovascular events by 31% cut the risk of dying by 32%.
A way to accomplish this would be walking for a few minutes every hour, or dedicating an hour in the evening to some brisk walking.
According to Alpa Patel, PhD, Strategic Director, CPS-3, American Cancer Society, and lead investigator of the study, which was published early online October 19 in American Journal of Preventive Medicine,
“Going for a walk at an average to brisk pace can provide people with a tremendous health benefit. It’s free, easy, and can be done anywhere.”
I know, easier said than done. Especially now that we have our butts glued to the revolving chair and our eyes fixed to the laptop screens. But, where there is a will (to skip gym), there is a way (to still stay healthy).
A great way to walk without realising we just did is to start with public transport, taking metros and offering the ‘hard earned’ seat to another, walking up to our cabs or rushing to get to the fanciest sale of the season.
Simply stated, our bodies are designed for movement, whether it is dancing or walking.
It definitely isn’t all about lifting weights or running treadmills but about a simple movement which can be as impactful as the ‘wow’ from our boyfriends when they’re wrong.
According to Better Health,
“Just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. It can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers.”
So, instead of signing up for another unused paid gym membership, with the coming year, let’s work on natural movement and regular walking.
Out with our shoes and our struts, healthy life, here we come.
