You've heard the expression "Move it or lose it"? Wow, is that true! A new study looked at the life expectancy of over 334,000 men and women, and found that - regardless of your body mass index - inactivity (no recreational activity and a sedentary job) is twice as likely as obesity to lead to premature death.
The good news? Researchers found that if over- or healthy-weight couch potatoes did just 20 minutes of brisk walking a day, they could slash their risk of premature death by 16 percent to 30 percent. And going from "moderately inactive" to "active" brings even better results. So here's how to get "active."
1. Hey Batman, find Robin. For real success, you want an exercise buddy/coach you trust so you'll listen to coaching, prodding - even a smackdown, if you need it. And if your Robin isn't local, arrange for a daily check-in via social media, texting and/or a call, so you can get support and report on your progress. Dr. Mike says choosing the right buddy is the most important thing you can do for your health.
2. Aim for 10,000 steps a day. Every morning, grab your pedometer (you have one, don't you?) and count all of your steps, right through your new routine of a daily 30- to 60-minute walk.
3. Laugh - a lot. Getting healthy should be fun! Laughter will keep you engaged and eager to exercise.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.