What do people long for the most during their final few moments?
Is it for a bigger bank balance?
Is it a wish to have worked harder?
Is it for more TIME? YES!!
More TIME to spend with loved ones.... More TIME to fulfil those dreams they left for tomorrow.... More TIME to make the difference they always imagined.
Unfortunately, at that point when you would do anything for more time … it’s not always possible to fulfil that wish. However, it is possible to do something NOW that will mean you will have more TIME later, when you really desire it.
Sounds great right? Surely there is a catch!
Of course there is - but it’s one within your control.
Making simple lifestyle changes can result in prolonging your life.
There are things like controlling alcohol consumption and eating healthier which will naturally help, but even more important is BEING ACTIVE!!!
Experts report that even moderate exercise can add seven years to your life*, yet damning figures shows in the UK that 1 in 4 adults are not even doing the minimum amount of exercise recommended by the NHS**. Even more shocking are global figures of 17.7 million deaths*** caused by heart disease and over 124 million children classed as obese**** - a large proportion of this is avoidable by making simple life choices and realising the implication of an INACTIVE lifestyle.
It's appreciated that we all may not have the time or money to commit to being regulars at our local gym, but we all have it within our hands to walk a bit more - which is the simplest and easiest fitness activity and best of all, its free!
Walking is an easy way to incorporate physical activity into your life and is something that you can do at your own pace and with your friends and family. Any level of intensity can lead to health benefits, such as:
improved cardiovascular aerobic fitness
strengthens the heart, lungs, muscles and bones
lowers blood pressure
reduce stress
improves sleep
reduce risk of diseases like diabetes and obesity
Afitar®, the mobile fitness game produced by Rocket Impact (who are supported by #UKActive ) uses the concept of a fitness Avatar to visually demonstrate whether you are walking enough. With different Avatar’s states representing different levels of fitness, Afitar® is a great way for you and your friends to see if you are walking enough. If you are doing the recommended #10000steps a day, your Afitar® will be in the super fit category and could look like a superhero, if you aren’t, you could look like a couch potato and then overtime slowly regress to a Zombie or worse! Visually seeing yourself in an unhealthy state will motivate you to keep moving!
May is #NationalWalkingMonth where there will be National campaigns to encourage us all to walk more. So start the month by making subtle changes to your routine. Why not walk to the station in the morning rather than getting a lift? Or walk to the local shops instead of take a bus? How about taking a stroll round the park with your friends?
Be mindful of how powerful #walking can be and make it a part of your daily routine now! Set the tone for the rest of your life step by step and challenge yourself to be in a position to fight Heart Disease and give yourself the most precious gift of all – TIME!
Deepak Vohra
(Edited by Phil Tsang)
Sources:
* European Society of Cardiology (ESC) - https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/a-daily-walk-can-add-seven-years-to-your-life-10478821.html
**https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/mar/30/quarter-adults-less-half-hour-exercise-nhs-obesity-inactivity-five-portions
***World Heart Federation
****World Health Organisation
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