100 REASONS TO WALK!

With Spring and nice weather approaching, I would like to invite everyone to WALK.  No really, just WALK!  Here are 100 reasons why (Borrowed from Walk With a Doc Newsletter- with their permission!)

100 Benefits of Walking

1. Reduces blood pressure

2. Lowers cholesterol

3. Increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good" cholesterol)

4. Reduces heart attacks (by 86% combined with other factors)

5. Increases efficiency of heart 

6. Makes our heart muscle stronger

7. Lowers heart rate

8. Strengthens lungs

9. Improves respiratory function

10. Improves cardiovascular endurance and performance

11. Provides more oxygen to body, including organs and muscles

12. Provides more nutrient supply to the body

13. Reduces strokes 

14. Helps to alleviate varicose veins and varicose vein pain

15. Increases your metabolism

16. Prevents blood clots

17. Makes digestion more efficient

18. Treats Fibromyalgia

19. Reduces chances for colon cancer

20. Strengthens and develops muscles

21. Increases efficiency of muscles

22. Benefits joints due to stronger muscles

23. Helps maintain cartilage health in the joints

24. Eases muscular tension 

25. Alleviates back problems

26. Increases muscle flexibility and agility

27. Improves speed of muscle contraction and reaction time

28. Treats acne

29. Burns up and removes toxins from body

30. Increases blood flow to the brain

31. Improves memory

32. Improves cognitive functioning

33. Enhances brain functioning by increasing the amount of oxygen available to it

34. Increases sense of well being

35. Increases resistance to pain because endorphin levels are elevated 

36. Increases sense of excitement because hormone epinephrine is elevated

37. Helps fend off colds 

38. Lessens worry and tension

39. Reduces stress by removing lactic acid from blood

40. Alleviates anxiety and/or pain because tranquilizing effect of exercise lasts for several hours 

41. Enhances mood 

42. Excellent opportunity to enhance social network

43. Boosts energy

44. Improves self-esteem and self-confidence since body and mind are improved and strengthened

45. Increases sense of self control

46. Provides source of pleasure and fun

47. Releases anger and negative emotions

48. Reduces depression more effectively than short or long-term psychotherapy

49. Enhances coordination, power, timing and balance

50. Boosts immune system functioning

51. Reduces severity of asthma

52. Exercise can even help prevent cataracts

53. Can relieve headaches

54. Helps you quit smoking

55. Burns calories

56. Causes body to use calories more efficiently

57. Causes weight loss 

58. Allows one to keep lost weight from returning

59. Can act as an appetite suppressant

60. Decreases fat tissue

61. Improves physical appearance

62. Enhances one's image and opinion of the body

63. Improves bone density and prevents osteoporosis

64. Reduces joint discomfort

65. Help manage arthritis

66. Allows one to feel better about their bodies and enjoy sex more as a result

67. Provides enhanced ability to achieve orgasm

68. Allows for greater sexual satisfaction

69. Can reduce or eliminate impotence due to increased blood flow

70. Prevents or manages type 2 diabetes

71. Helps insulin work better, lowering blood sugar

72. Has a significant effect on fibrinogen levels

73. Alleviates menstrual cramps

74. Improves athletic performance

75. Can add years to one's life

76. Enhances quality of life

77. Reduces pain and disability

78. Improves glycogen storage

79. Reduces risk of developing 13 different types of cancer

80. Regulates hormones

81. Treats Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

82. Can lessen medical bills

83. Reduces anxiety by causing fewer worries about health

84. Creates better performance at work

85. Allows one to stay independent as they get older

86. Keeps health care insurance premiums lower 

87. Makes one more attractive to potential mates

88. Allows for healthy pregnancy

89. Increases energy

90. Allows you to be more productive and less stymied by stress and depression

91. Can increase income due to increased energy

92. Allows one to become more familiar with their body and its functioning

93. Can stimulate you mentally

94. Lets one eat more without gaining weight

95. Increases productivity at work

96. Adds variety and spice to life

97. Gives one increased ability to defend oneself and loved ones if needed

98. Provides a natural high afterwards, such as runners' high

99. Provides heightened alertness 

100. Reduces inflammation 

Thank you for reading and we hope you found your 'reason'.