Take a Hike!

Experts recommend that people engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity for, at least, 150 minutes a week.  That’s only two and a half hours out of the 168 hours that make up a seven-day week.  While this may seem like a small effort, exercising for just a short period of time every week can increase your overall health exponentially. If you’re looking for a way to get active but hitting the gym or playing a sport isn’t your style, consider hiking.  This activity will allow you to see the beauty of nature that can’t be found in cities and, most importantly, it will get you up, out and active. Taking regular hiking trips is a great way to stay in shape because hiking exercises all the major muscles in your body.  Hiking can also improve your strength, cardio and endurance abilities and help tone your muscles.  Hiking can also reduce depression and help you sleep better at night.  In addition, being physically fit can lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, triglycerides and type 2 diabetes. If you have children in your family, make sure they are staying active as well.  It’s never too early to start introducing your kids to healthy habits like exercising. Children receive many of the same benefits from hiking as adults do.  In addition to reducing the risk of becoming overweight as a teenager or adult, consequently lowering the chance of developing risk factors that can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, hiking can help children relieve stress and sleep more peacefully, causing them to be more alert and enthusiastic at school. In addition to cardiovascular exercise activities, experts say that it is important to engage in strength training at least twice a week as.  This can include lifting weights or doing push-ups.  Make sure you are tracking the time you spend exercising so you are sure that you are meeting or exceeding your weekly fitness goals. Remember, you don’t have to be in perfect shape to try hiking or some other form of exercise.  Becoming more physically active can be tremendously beneficial for your present and future health.  Don’t feel like you have to conquer the world on your first day out.  Make sure you aren’t overexerting yourself and listen to your body as you begin your new fitness routine.

For more information on the benefits of hiking please visit http://www.goodhiker.com/2011/05/25/health-benefits-hiking/.

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