|
VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York - VISN 2
|
Spring 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here’s some good news for the
millions of Americans who have
diabetes and those at risk for developing
the disease: Doctors say exercising
regularly and losing just a few pounds
of excess weight can dramatically
improve your health.
Just 30 minutes of daily physical
activity—aerobic exercise for the heart
and lungs and modest weight training
to strengthen muscles—is all that’s
required to help you control your glucose
or blood sugar levels. In addition
to strengthening your bones, heart and
other muscles, working out will lower
stress and improve your mood, selfimage
and sleep. Try these tips to find
the fitness in your daily to-do list:
- Make cleaning count. The stretching
and physical work involved in housework
can get you moving. Wear sneakers,
play music and pick up the pace.
- Wash the car. This can be a refreshing
chore on a warm day.
- Mow the lawn with a push mower.
Sorry, ride-on mowers don’t count.
- Do yard work and gardening. Raking,
hoeing, pruning and digging are great
exercises to strengthen your arms,
legs and back. A vigorous hour of yard
work can burn up to 300 calories.
- Walk the dog. Share a walk twice a
day with your furry friend. Choose a
hilly route and keep a brisk pace.
- Work out while watching TV. Pedal a
stationary bike, walk on a treadmill, lift
weights or use other home fitness
equipment while you watch TV.
- Paint it pretty. Don’t hire painters; get
a good workout and save money by
taking on home repairs and improvement
projects yourself.
- Walk the talk. Get up and move
around while talking on the phone.
Even better, grab your cell and walk
around the block as you chat.
- Run errands on foot and pedal power.
If you live far from your town’s main
strip, drive to a central location and
head out on foot or bike to swing by
the bank, return library books and pick
up groceries.
|
Spring 2006
New Acting Network Director |
Good Oral Health |
Pre-diabetes
Fitness in Everyday Chores |
Cholesterol and Food |
Life in the Doldrums
Keep Thinking! |
VA News and Updates |
Wellness Programs
|
|
|
| Reviewed/Updated Date: July 3, 2006 |
|
