The heart is the very core of our being. It can soothe us when we are in the dip. It makes us feel happy and joyous when we hold a baby or someone hugs us. Laughing massages the heart and gets the good hormones flowing throughout our bodies.
The simple act of walking has great therapeutic benefits. Yet many of us do not walk or walk inconsistently or very short distances. As a wanna- be- marathoner again, it’s a sad commentary when I walk inconsistently or don’t break a sweat in a 3-mile walk. To be of greater benefit to my heart, the 3-miles need to be 5-6 miles at a less brisk pace. This is akin to the long slow distance (LSD) in marathon training. LSD is a great way to burn calories. If your weight is putting you at risk for heart disease and stroke, and there are no medical contraindications for walking, pump it up by walking longer distance at a slower pace. That doesn’t mean to go strolling around the shopping mall, crawl to the refrig or leisurely walk to the store (which is around the corner).
