Your body on walking

SNEAKING IN A FEW MINUTES A DAY CAN TRANSFORM YOUR HEALTH, BODY AND MIND

R idiculously simple, astonishingly powerful, scientifically proven by study after study – sneaking in a few minutes a day can transform your health, body, and mind. So what are you waiting for? Now that spring is here and the weather is warmer, consider these health facts related to walking.

HEART HEALTH: 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week drastically lowers your risk of heart disease.

BONES: four hours a week can reduce the risk of hip fractures by up to 43 per cent. WEIGHT: a daily one-hour walk can cut your risk of obesity in half. HEALTH PREVENTION: logging 3,500 steps a day lowers your risk of diabetes by 29 per cent. MOOD: 30 minutes a day can reduce symptoms of depression by 30 per cent. BRAIN: just two hours of walking a week reduces your risk of strokes by 30 per cent. LONGEVITY: 75 minutes a week of brisk walking can add almost two years to your life. Are you convinced yet? If you feel like maybe a weekly, moderate walking group would be a good place to start, Silver Threads has existing and emerging walking groups.

At the Saanich Centre at 286 Hampton Rd., a group meets Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m. with a leader to take you on a jaunt around the Tillicum neighbourhood. For those in the Victoria/Jubilee area, the Victoria Centre at 2340 Richmond Rd. is gathering input to start a group.

For further information, call the Saanich Centre: 250-382-3151, or the Victoria Centre: 250-388-4268. Happy trails!