Aging Gracefully one step at a time.
If you can walk despite achy and stiff joints, the recommended length of time is 20-30 minutes daily, for a minimum of 150 minutes per week. These are your Baby Steps. Literally. Of course, if you've been sedentary for awhile, work up to it gradually. Even one more step or an additional ten seconds each session will get you to your goal eventually.
I have several Teen Steps to add and I will post at least one every day. Today's is walking at a brisk pace for 11 minutes straight. "Brisk" simply means slightly winded. Recent research published in the "British Journal of Sports Medicine" reveals that "11 minutes a day (75 minutes a week) of moderate-intensity physical activity - such as a brisk walk - would be sufficient to lower the risk of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and a number of cancers… Doing SOME physical activity is BETTER THAN DOING NONE." (Emphases mine)
— Soren Brage
I now walk meditatively for the first 5-10 minutes to warm up, get my brisk on for 11, then cool down for the remainder of the walk. More on Walking Meditation tomorrow.
Keep moving. Death is Very Very Still.
