A little morning activity might be the best thing for you
Your friends hustling off to the gym might not believe it, but a morning walk or jog lasting 20 or 30 minutes will give you many of the same benefits of that gym workout at a fraction of the cost. Just invest in some comfortable walking or jogging shoes. A few laps around the neighborhood can work wonders!
Weight Loss
Take a brisk walk before breakfast and you’ll burn about 100 calories for every mile covered. The morning is an especially good time as your glucose levels are lower and you’re burning fat.
Healthy Heart
Walking 3 to 4 miles per hour can reduce the risk of a heart attack by about 40 percent, and a morning walk reduces the risk of a second heart attack for those who have already had one.
Improved Mood
A moderately-paced walk can instantly boost your mood as your body produces endorphins in the brain that trigger a positive feeling in your body—getting you ready for the day.
Increased Energy
People who walk just 20 minutes a day report feeling more energetic and less fatigued as walking increases blood flow and enhances the body’s ability to produce energy.
Reduced Cancer Risk
Walking or jogging reduces the risk of cancer through oxygenation of the entire body. Cells not getting an adequate supply of oxygen tend to mutate more vigorously and often turn malignant.
Lower Risk of Diabetes
Walking can help lower blood sugar and reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes, especially for those considered pre-diabetic.
Stronger Memory
People who walk have a larger hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for memory and learning, and studies show that a daily walk reduces the risk of dementia.
Longer Life
Regular walking can reduce your risk of a premature death by a whopping one-third! Since many early deaths are due to inactivity, any increased activity can have a positive influence on your life.
By David Buice
