Walking is a great exercise

We want you to know that walking increases your brain power; flattens your belly; helps fight off depression and some cancers; improves your heart health, balance and breathing; and, yes, plays a significant part in your efforts to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

First — what were those headlines talking about? Well, they were touting a recent study by researchers from Brigham Young University, but the facts, are very different from what’s said in the headlines:

-The scientists tracked weight gain in freshman college students over a six month period — students who before the study started were already walking an average of 9,600 steps a day.

-The students were put into groups that walked 10,000, 12,000 and 15,000 steps daily (and exceeded those levels by month six).

-By the study’s end, all groups gained weight, averaging about three and a half pounds.

-But — and this is a good but — not only was 56% of their weight gain lean muscle tissue, compared to 44% that was adipose tissue, but they also had no increase in visceral “belly” fat and they decreased their daily sedentary time by 77 minutes.

And — we’d like to point out — there are many other studies that also demonstrate the health benefits of walking, including weight management.

-Better heart health and lower risk of diabetes.

-A longer life. -Happier brain.

-Better mood.

-Lower

(BMI).

Your next step(s): Get walking — however far and often you can. And if you’re pressed for time, fewer steps and a faster pace conveys great benefits too, according to a study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

If you are 75+, you can gain many (not all) of the same benefits with 7,500 steps daily, but 10K is still the best goal for any age. Step it up for better health. body mass index