Not just heart disease, but this method can help you:

  • Improve blood pressure
  • Improve blood sugar levels
  • Improve blood cholesterol
  • Lower the risk of obesity
  • Enhance mental well being
  • Reduce the risk of osteoporosis
  • Reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer
  • Reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes

(Reference: The Benefits of Walking)

For 12 years, the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences followed more than 5,000 men aged 40 to 50 and discovered that 30 minutes a day of physical activity, 6 days a week, reduced the risk of death by 40%! Even at the age of 73 years, they found physical activity made a significant difference in longevity.

Another study that reviewed 12 other research studies found that approximately 30 min of normal walking a day for 5 days a week was associated with 19% reduction of heart disease and it confirmed that these benefits are valid for men and women.

My favorite way of walking for exercise is to do Interval Walking. That’s 3 minutes of strenuous walking, followed by 3 minutes of strolling, followed by 3 minutes of strenuous walking, followed by 3 minutes of strolling on and off for a total of 30 minutes.
The attention to how long I’ve walked and when to change my pace keeps my interest. Also, I try to find different routes to take so I change up the scenery.
Try walking 30 minutes a day for 5 or more days a week for just two weeks and see how you feel. I’ll bet you’ll thank me.