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Fight Breast Cancer with Power Walking

by Nicole Dorsey Straff

_MG_2860Although National Breast Cancer Month is officially over, breast cancer affects about 12 percent women in the U.S., and a sedentary lifestyle is one of the top risk factors for this disease. According to researchers from the American Cancer Society, women who walk for an hour a day can cut their chance of breast cancer by 14 percent. That’s a huge reason to powers stride for 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week.

Regular walking, like most aerobic activities, is good for you because cardiovascular exercise strengthens the heart and lungs, increasing overall fitness. Together with diet and other exercise plans, it can also help with weight loss and tone up muscles and reduce the risk of chronic illnesses.

According to the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) conducted a research inspecting 74,000 postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 and 79 for six years. Researchers found that women who were regularly active, such as walking briskly, experienced a significant reduction of breast cancer risk.

More good news about breast cancer and walking 

You know you don’t have to walk a marathon to reap the calorie-torching, heart-healthy benefits of power walking. Once you know how fast you should be going, and for how long, the movement and rhythm of your walks can transcend mere exercise and become an opportunity for inner reflection, says fitness expert Kent Burden creator of the “Workout at Work” DVD series.

Nicole_Walking_92Here are many other health benefits to reap from a steady diet of cross-training cardio workouts, nutrient-packed food to tickle your ticker and also, to boost your mood.

Walking also: 

• Strengthens your heart and cardiovascular system

• Improves muscle tone and strength

• Hones sense of balance and joint flexibility

• Strengthens bones and joint connections

• Helps reduce body fat and help you reach and stay at a healthy weight

• Soothes stress, tension, anxiety and mild depression

• Boosts self-image, confidence and self-esteem

• Improves sleep habits

• Makes you look fitter, firmer and more healthy.

 

Winter is just around the corner, so how are  your fighting breast cancer risks in your life? I’m walking with my friend, Kent Burden this week.

 

 

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