This April, the American Heart Association (AHA) is encouraging Americans to get Healthy For Good™ by being more physically active.
While the AHA’s National Walking Day takes place on Wednesday, April 5 this year, the celebration has been expanded to a monthlong initiative to inspire lasting change through small, simple steps in four key areas: Eat smart. Add color. Move more. Be well.
Studies have suggested that moderate physical activity has many proven benefits for overall health, such as lowering blood pressure, increasing HDL, or “good” cholesterol and controlling weight. All these changes help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers.
The AHA will kick off the monthlong campaign on National Walking Day, April 5, to encourage people to move more by increasing their physical activity. The campaign is broken down into weekly themes. Week one focuses on walking and the basic tools you need to get started. Walking is one of the safest, least expensive, and most sustainable forms of exercise. Weeks two and three focus on recreational sports and outdoor activities the whole family can do together, and week four focuses on mindful movement and reducing stress by doing activities such as yoga, Pilates and tai chi.
The AHA recommends that adults participate in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic activity or a combination of both each week. Kids should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
Be part of the movement and register for your free toolkit at www.heart.org/movemoretoolkit. For more information about walking and living a healthy lifestyle, visit www.heart.org/movemore.
*And just a reminder that the Burlington Heart Walk is on September 23. Start walking now and be ready in the fall! For more information, visit www.vermontheartwalk.org.