Our population is getting bigger. This is probably no surprise, just look around the next time you're in a crowd. According to the AHA 65% of our population is obese or over weight. One of three American kids and teens are overweight or obese, nearly triple the rate in 1963. Among children today, obesity is causing a broad range of health problems that previously weren't seen until adulthood. These include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and elevated blood cholesterol levels. There are also psychological effects. Obese children are more prone to low self-esteem, negative body image and depression.
So how can we positively
change these statistics before we become part of them?
Just Start
Walking... Get Moving - Just start walking...Even if you are obese and can't
climb a flight of stairs, you can start walking and turn your life around.
Your body will
adjust to the demands (or lack of demands) you place on it. It is an incredible
machine. Daily walking will help you maintain your independence as you age.
Research shows
walking regularly can help protect the aging brain against memory loss and
dementia, reduce the chance of developing type 2 diabetes as well as our number
one killer-- heart disease, .
The hardest step
is the first one. Walking is the easiest best exercise you can do. You do not
need expensive equipment, you do not need a gym membership, all you need is a
pair of walking shoes and some motivation.
Maybe some inspiration will help you start, will keep you going, will change your health and your life. That is where I come in and my reason for my walk and this blog. But don't think you have to walk 2,663 miles like me. The peak benefits come from 30 minutes of exercise several times a week. But if I can walk in the desert, in the snow, in the rain, over the mountains, amongst the mosquitoes and the bears, for 10-12 hours a day, maybe 30 minutes in your neighborhood will seem do-able. My hope is that you will have the heart to hike and what happens next can only be good.
Heart
