Exercise for Health!

Walking and hiking for fitness is good for the mind and body. Get away from it all on a marked trail at the Oakland County Parks.

Benefits from walking include:
reduced blood cholesterol, lower blood pressure and increased cardiovascular endurance. Walking also boosts bone strength, burns calories, helps keep weight down and improves your spirit.

Increasing your steps means:
more energy; less stress and more balance in your life

Tips to get walking:

• If you're not a walker, start small -
  • park farther away from your destination
  • take the stairs instead of the elevator
  • get to know your neighborhood - how many steps to your neighbor's house?
• seek out local trails (or walk your neighborhood) and make time for regular walks
• set goals - resolve to add 500 steps to yesterday's total
• try walking instead of driving when doing small errands
• find new areas to explore!
• walk the golf course instead of taking a cart
• spend half your lunchtime eating, the other half walking
• attend a nature center hiking program Calendar of Events
• join or form a walking club - it's more fun with friends!

The popularity of walking as a fitness activity is growing by leaps and bounds.

According to the American Council on Exercise, walking is low risk and easy to start with proven health benefits. ACE reported in an eight-year study of 13,000 people that those who walked 30 minutes a day had a significantly lower risk of premature death than those who rarely exercised. Regular walking and/or exercise can decrease chances of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, colon and breast cancers and osteoporosis.

So. . .get moving!