May is National Physical Fitness Month, and this physical fitness tip, is a bit about walking and diabetes.
Video transcript
Y’all, for a very long time, walking has been highly recommended as a form of exercise to embrace for your health.
First of all, it’s low impact. It doesn’t require any special equipment, and for most people, it’s an accessible and doable way to get a health exercise habit in place.
As it relates to those that have diabetes or pre-diabetes, there are some really special benefits that you might want to consider as an encouragement to get a regular walking regimen if you don’t already have one.
First, walking can help as it relates to overweight and obesity, which is a concern for those that have diabetes. It also can help with cardiovascular health. And that is another condition that is unfortunately too often connected with diabetes.
But beyond that, walking, if done regularly, can help your body regulate blood glucose levels more effectively. As a matter of fact, the American Diabetes Association, in their position statement about physical activity – they say that exercise should be a central focus in blood glucose management and overall health, and walking is an excellent way to do it.
So, if you can get in a half an hour or an hour walking per day {and an hour y’all is just 4% of our day}.
That may be a bit much for some; if it is too much, just start with where you are, do what you can. Even five, 10-minute bouts here and there done a couple of times during the day helps too. The cumulative effect is there. The key is to be consistent.
So I encourage you whether you have diabetes, pre-diabetes, or not. If you’re looking for a straightforward, easy way to build exercise into a daily health habit, consider walking.
Go on out if you can. Enjoy the outside, and take advantage of this way to move.
God made our bodies to move. So do what you can.
It’s TempleCare.
Join us back here on our Education For Transformation Facebook page every day for another physical fitness tip during the month of May.
And in-between, you take care, God bless, be well, and stay well.