The importance of walking can not be overstated. Walking for 30 mins every other day will dramatically improve your life if you are sedentary. If you can't do 30 minutes, start with 15.

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scottious an hour ago | parent | next [-]

For those who are inclined, I recommend running instead (even if you think you aren't a runner)

My body has been completely transformed from 15 years of running. I'm 5'7" and 135 pounds at age 41. My face looks thin, I have a better body than most 20 year olds. I gave myself the best gift that I could possibly give myself.

If they could distill 15 years of running (5x per week) and put it in pill form, I truly believe it would be the most valuable thing medicine has ever created.

All it takes is 45 minutes per day for 5 days per week. And you can actually have fun while doing it! It takes a long time to get to that point but it's so worth it.

	▲	phainopepla2 39 minutes ago \| parent \| next [-]
		For those who are a bit intimidated by the thought of starting running, especially if you are a bit older, you don't need to run hard or fast. Slow jogging (zone 2) results in great cardiovascular improvements. Don't be afraid to start by alternating jogging and walking. And if you can't spare 45 minutes 5 days per week, do it 3 days a week instead. Something is better than nothing.
	▲	msie 12 minutes ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		All it takes? Omg, why not do it every day if you’re going to do it 5 days a week? 3 days a week sounds more reasonable.

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sublinear 3 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Lifting weights also helps.

I'd argue that if someone wants to go beyond walking into running or even jogging, they ought to get their strength up so they don't have blood sugar crashes or cramps. It's never a bad idea to gain some muscle.

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intrasight 3 hours ago | parent [-]

And don't drink alcohol

	▲	steve_adams_86 an hour ago \| parent \| next [-]
		I'm not a drinker, but I think we shouldn't be so strict about it. I usually have a drink once every few months or so, and frankly I don't really care about the impact it has on my health. I suspect it's so minuscule as to not matter at all in the scheme of things. Same with eating deep fried food. Especially if it's a food that's otherwise quite healthy. A bit of hot oil isn't going to be your undoing. Just don't make these things a habit. Enjoy a bit of indulgence, but be honest with yourself: is this once per month thing becoming a once per week thing, or a once every few days thing? Daily? Don't do that. Recognize vice. But don't be so strict that you never allow anything remotely unhealthy. Humans aren't great at abstinence. Having said that, there's a reason I don't drink more often and it's because it really is terrible for you. I agree, haha. Just, don't pretend you'll never do bad things ever again. Unless you have far more willpower than I do — that's entirely possible.
	▲	KPGv2 38 minutes ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		Also stay out of the sun. Better yet, just do a treadmill inside. No skin cancer that way.

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jr3592 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Had an uncle who swore by this. He died at 57 of ALS.

That obviously doesn't mean walking is bad, I just mean to point out that even those people who believe in it as a silver bullet, can be hit with something totally out of left field.

Life is really quite brutish and short. You can do all the right things, and die early. All the wrong things, and live a long time. Take care of yourself for sure, but also find a balance and enjoy your life.

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Aurornis an hour ago | parent | next [-]

Almost nobody believes it's a silver bullet or perfect shield against disease.

It's an odds game. I don't encourage people to start going into the long tail of diminishing returns to improve their longevity at the expense of everything else, but low hanging fruit like going for a walk every day has a very high ROI in later life quality of life.

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BXLE_1-1-BitIs1 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

You can do everything right and get taken out by an accident. So far I've dodged a loose trailer that came off next to me going the opposite direction, a rock dislodged by a marmot from the cliff above, two drunk drivers drifting towards me, a city bus turning towards me on an icy road, a few other left turning drivers who didn't see me in a crosswalk (I now carry a high intensity pulsing flashlight for crossing at intersections) and two near misses when a gust upset my glider.

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switchbak 2 hours ago | parent [-]

I was almost taken out by two rogue kayaks being towed behind an oblivious truck driver.

If I get taken out, I want it to be while I'm saving kids from an angry bear, not something stupid like ^

	▲	coldtea an hour ago \| parent [-]
		>I was almost taken out by two rogue kayaks being towed behind an oblivious truck driver. Wow! That's some luck! Movie night suggestion: Final Destination 1 and 2

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coldtea an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Nobody thinks of it as a silver bullet. They know they can still get cancer, or get hit by a car, or whatever else.

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striking 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Fine. But walking is also just kind of nice and unobtrusive for most people. I'd understand if you were replying to someone telling you to do strength training, but I'd argue walking is just pleasant.

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KPGv2 an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

The construction of GP and your post in sequence implies you think walking is not enjoyable.

GP: Go walking.

You: Instead, find a balance and enjoy life.

Walking is very enjoyable. Try it! Bonus, you'll come up with some of your best ideas!

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adammarples an hour ago | parent | prev [-]

Nobody thinks walking is a silver bullet, ie a cure all. It's a good preventative for the most likely cause of death (heart disease).