For the sedentary people in your workforce, exercising a full hour each day might seem like too big a hill to climb. But new approaches show that people can adjust their exercise time, if they\u2019re willing to adjust their expectations accordingly.<\/p>\n
Thirty minutes a day? Much better than the \u201czero minutes\u201d many people put in.<\/p>\n
Sixty minutes? Now you\u2019re managing your weight, probably losing some and reducing your risk of dying by another 10 to 15 percent.<\/p>\n
Remember, this is walking we\u2019re talking about. Apart from an injury, disability or a warning from a doctor, the only barrier to increasing your exercise load is time. Participants should start with what\u2019s comfortable, then build up gradually and incrementally to the levels that deliver real benefits.<\/p>\n
What are those levels? It depends upon the person. For a young, fit person, a brisk three- to four-mile-an-hour walk would feel \u201clight.\u201d An older or less fit person would label the same exercise \u201ctough.\u201d What\u2019s interesting is that the harder a person perceives his or her exercise effort to be, the lower the risk of heart disease. If you feel like you\u2019re working out, you are. For beginners, a good rule of thumb is to walk hard enough that you feel some exertion but can still carry on a conversation.<\/p>\n
For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina<\/a>, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com<\/a> or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our qualified agents.\u00a0 Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina\u00a0(BCBSNC). <\/a>You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health.\u00a0 Call us for details.
\n2007 Blue Cross and Blue Shield