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MyPyramid, the new interactive food
guidance system recently released, stresses the importance of daily
physical activity such as walking. The system, which incorporates
recommendations from the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, has
the central message of "Steps to a Healthier You." For health
benefits, physical activity should be moderate or vigorous and add
up to at least 30 minutes a day.
Walking is the best way to start a
new fitness program this spring because almost everyone can do it,
it's free and it's easy.
Evidence about health benefits from
walking is stacking up. A recent U.S. Department of Agriculture
study found that women who walk at least a mile a day reduce their
chance of losing bone density as they age. Health experts tout
physical fitness in general as having many benefits, including an
association with a decreased risk of breast cancer, improved
cardiovascular health, and lowered resting pulse rate and blood
pressure. Exercise also helps to increase muscle tone, improves
sleep habits, regulates appetite, and reduces feelings of stress and
anxiety.
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 |
 Area residents are invited to
participate in local Walk Day events by walking May 2, either before
work at Kickapoo Creek Park anytime between 7 and 9:30 a.m. or over
the lunch hour at Scully Park in downtown Lincoln between 11:30 a.m.
and 1 p.m. The first 50 participants at each site will receive free
bottled water provided by Culligan as well as a sun visor or water
bottle. Participants may also register to win pedometers or gift
certificates from downtown eateries.
Walk Day is an annual event the
first Monday of May sponsored by University of Illinois Extension.
For further information about how to get involved next year, please
contact Patty Huffer at the Logan County Extension office at
732-8289.
[News release by Patty Huffer,
Logan County
Extension Unit] |
