Exercise: The First Step toward Lifelong Health

When someone mentions the word "exercise," what's the first thought that
jumps into your head? For many, exercise means discomfort -- hours spent at
the gym, fighting through the tan, lean bodies to lift weights or pedal away on
an uncomfortable exercycle.

Fortunately, exercise comes in many forms, and almost all of them help us
stay healthy. Physical activity reduces the risk of cancer, heart disease and
many other serious health problems, and evidence suggests that something as
simple as walking may be just as effective as vigorous exercise.

Researchers compared walking, vigorous exercise and total physical activity
with the incidence of coronary artery events (heart attack or death from heart
disease) in 72,488 healthy female nurses. Data collected over the eight-year
study revealed that three hours of brisk walking per week comparable to 1.5
hours of jogging, cycling, heavy gardening or heavy housework) in reducing
the risk of coronary events. 

So don't get overwhelmed by exercise, embrace it! You don't need to slave
away in the gym to stay healthy. A brisk walk might be all it takes to get you
started on the road to lifelong health. For a complete evaluation of exercise
and nutritional guidelines specific to your needs, talk to your chiropractor.

Manson JE, Hu FB, Rich-Edwards JW, et al. A prospective study of walking as
compared with vigorous exercise in the prevention of coronary heart disease
in women. The New England Journal of Medicine, August 26, 1999: Vol. 341,
No. 9, pp650-58.