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Tribal advocates keep up legal pressure for fair political maps; 12-member jury sworn in for Trump's historic criminal trial; Healthcare decision planning important for CT residents; Debt dilemma poll: Hoosiers wrestle with college costs.

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Tell Your Boss to "Take a Walk"

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Wednesday, April 6, 2011   

MINNEAPOLIS - People who go to work today are being urged to tell their bosses to "take a walk" - for better health, that is.

As part of National Start Walking Day, the American Heart Association also is encouraging everyone to wear sneakers to work today and get some exercise.

Rachel Larson, a certified personal trainer and registered dietitian at HealthEast's Woodwinds Health Campus, says with so many of our waking hours spent at work it's important to take a little time during the day to stretch, walk and just move your body.

"Take a break. Push away from your computer, push away from your work station, and walk. Maybe it's just walking through the building and back to your desk again. Maybe it's walking up and down the stairs a few times. Maybe it's walking down the hall to talk to a co-worker instead of sending an e-mail."

Other tips for at-work exercise include having walking meetings or taking part of the lunch hour for a brisk walk. According to the heart association, people gain two hours of life expectancy for every hour of regular, vigorous exercise - even if they don't start until middle age.

For those who haven't been active for awhile, Larson suggests starting with 10 minutes of walking and adding 5 minutes a day until an ideal time of 30 minutes is reached. Even 20 minutes per day has benefits, she says.

"That helps with reducing the risk of heart disease, it helps with weight maintenance, it helps reduce stress, and it's just all-around great to be outside and getting some fresh air."

The heart association estimates that walking an extra 20 minutes a day will burn off 7 pounds of body fat each year.

If the weather outside is not cooperating, Larson says, community centers may have indoor tracks. Some people walk at their local shopping malls. If motivation is a problem, she suggests setting up a walking date with a friend or neighbor.

"So now, you've got some time to be social, which makes us feel good, it increases our well-being, and our happiness factor. And then you're also moving - and of course, when we're moving, we're using up some calories, we're decreasing stress, maybe laughing a little bit - and it's just such a win-win."

Larson suggests the website startwalkingnow.org for other suggestions and resources, including how to find nearby walking paths.

"You enter your ZIP code where you live, how many miles you're looking to walk, and it will shoot you all of your options for that geographic location and your ability level, what you're looking for, where to walk, and it'll map it out for you. It is the coolest thing."


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