10 Reasons to Walk 10,000 Steps A Day

Walking 10,000 steps a day provides great health benefits. 10,000 steps a day works out to approximately 5 miles per day, and falls within the recommended physical fitness guidelines of most health professionals. Do you know the health benefits of getting enough exercise? Before you tell yourself you don’t have the time to exercise, consider these 10 reasons to walk 10,000 steps a day:

Reduce your risk for Type 2 Diabetes.
Studies show that overweight and obese people have a significantly higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. 80% of people with Type 2 Diabetes are obese. Type 2 Diabetes carries the potential for numerous complications, including heart disease, blindness, nerve damage and kidney damage.

Decrease your risk for heart disease, heart attacks and stroke.
Heart disease is twice as likely to occur in overweight and obese individuals as in people who maintain a healthy weight. Sudden-onset heart disease can be fatal. Lower your risk by maintaining a healthy body weight.

Lower your blood pressure and reduce hypertension.
Losing as little as 5-10 pounds can significantly lower your blood pressure and reduce hypertension. Since high blood pressure can lead to stroke, dementia, heart attacks, blindness and kidney failure, reducing hypertension has numerous health benefits.

Prevent some types of cancer.
Studies indicate that obesity can lead to endometrial, colon, gallbladder, prostrate, kidney, and postmenopausal breast cancers. These cancers typically require radical treatment, and can be fatal.

Improve lung function and reduce risks of asthma.
Asthma is no fun, and you can improve lung capacity and reduce the effects of asthma by losing weight. Overweight people are more prone to asthma attacks and breathing problems.

Reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea.
As with other types of breathing problems, losing weight can reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea – a potentially fatal condition.

Improve mental health.
Exercise releases endorphins, which make you feel more cheerful and happy. Regular exercise can improve mental health, including reducing the symptoms of depression and even reducing the potential for dementia.

Sleep better.
Have problems with insomnia? The body is built for regular exercise, and if you get enough exercise, studies have shown that you’ll sleep better. Give up the sleeping pills and walk 10,000 steps a day instead.

Increase your energy levels.
Exercising doesn’t make you more tired; it actually increases your energy levels. Exercising boosts your metabolism, which provides more energy, in addition to releasing endorphins that make you feel good. Put them both together, and you’ve got increased energy levels.

Reduce aches and pains and improve mobility.
People who exercise regularly are in better shape, and experience improved mobility and fewer aches and pains. In addition, reducing your body weight can reduce the risk for arthritis down the road.