Lake Regional Health System | Thrive | Fall 2019

lakeregional.com 9 You can get these benefits at home or in the gym — with resis- tance bands, free weights or weight machines. Or just use your own body weight with moves like pushups, squats and lunges. Any exercise that makes your muscles work harder than usual counts. If you haven’t exercised in a while, get a doctor’s OK before you start. Sources: American Cancer Society; American Heart Association Check out these rewards Walking is a great way to start exercising. Frequent, brisk walks can help: Keep your blood pressure, cholesterol and weight in a healthy range Protect you from heart dis- ease and type 2 diabetes Strengthen your bones and muscles Boost your mood Source: National Institutes of Health Head to a nearby park or hiking trail for a fresh perspective. Track your progress. Whether you count your steps, speed or consistency, seeing how far you’ve come can be a source of inspiration. Sources: American Heart Association; National Institutes of Health Walking can help you stay physically and mentally fit. So lace up those shoes and head out the door!