| Breast cancer statistics show that over | | | | walking and slowly increase your time |
| 1.2 million persons will be diagnosed | | | | and distance. |
| with breast cancer worldwide this year, | | | | · Walking at a pace of 75-95 steps a |
| according to the World Health | | | | minute will have you walking at a speed |
| Organization. For breast cancer and | | | | of about 2-3 miles per hour. |
| prevention, it has long been known that | | | | · Walk with your head up, looking out |
| regular physical activity has been shown | | | | in front of you. Do not walk looking |
| to decrease the likelihood of having | | | | down right in front of you except to |
| breast cancer. What has not been known | | | | navigate any obstacles. |
| or studied has been the effect of | | | | · Really take it easy the first 5 |
| regular physical activity on the breast | | | | minutes of walking to warm up. |
| cancer survival rates or likelihood of | | | | Afterwards, gently stretch for 5-10 |
| death in women that already have breast | | | | minutes while your muscles are warm. |
| cancer. That is, until now. | | | | · Practice good walking form. Your |
| The breast cancer statistics and | | | | arms should swing naturally in the |
| findings as reported by the American | | | | direction you're walking, not from side |
| Medical Association's Journal of the | | | | to side across your body. Your foot |
| American Medical Association (JAMA) in | | | | should strike the ground on your heel, |
| May 2005 were astounding! Certain | | | | then a rolling motion forward toward the |
| participants in the study of women with | | | | ball of your foot, then pushing off with |
| Stage I, II or III breast cancer | | | | your toes. |
| achieved a 50% reduction in the death | | | | And here are some basic walking shoes |
| rate from breast cancer. | | | | tips: |
| Here are these breast cancer statistics: | | | | · Buy your walking shoes from a |
| the journal reported that in the study | | | | sporting shoes store with large |
| 2,987 female registered nurses had been | | | | selections. That will give you plenty |
| diagnosed with breast cancer during the | | | | of choices. And buy your walking shoes |
| years 1984-1998. What the study found | | | | later in the day when your feet will be |
| was that the women who had physical | | | | larger. |
| activity equivalent to walking at a | | | | · Buy cushioned, supportive walking |
| steady pace of 2.0-2.9 miles per hour | | | | shoes. To see if a shoe is supportive, |
| for 3-5 hours a week had a death rate of | | | | do this test -- take a shoe and turn it |
| only 50% of the death rate of women who | | | | upside down. Holding each end of the |
| had physical activity equivalent to | | | | shoe, try to fold it. If you find the |
| walking less than one hour a week. The | | | | shoe bends in the middle, then that shoe |
| conclusion of the breast cancer | | | | is not a supportive shoe. A supportive |
| statistics in the study was that | | | | shoe should bend where your foot |
| physical activity after breast cancer | | | | normally bends, near your toes. |
| has been diagnosed may reduce the risk | | | | · You should allow the width of your |
| of death from breast cancer. The study | | | | index finger between the end of your |
| found that there was little evidence of | | | | shoe and the end of your longest toe, or |
| any relation between increased physical | | | | about one-half inch. |
| activity and increased benefit. | | | | · Buy two pairs of walking shoes, one |
| It's time to dust off those walking | | | | for home and one for the car or |
| shoes! | | | | workplace. And if one pair gets wet, |
| As a physical activity, walking can be | | | | you can use the other pair that day. |
| done almost anytime by anyone anywhere. | | | | Walking is the closest thing to the |
| All that's needed is a good pair of | | | | perfect exercise. In today's fast-paced |
| walking shoes. Walking is fun and | | | | society, regular walking can be a |
| reduces stress. As for injuries, | | | | welcomed break from the stress of the |
| walking has the lowest injury rate of | | | | day. Maybe you'll get to know your |
| all the various kinds of exercise. | | | | neighborhood or neighbors better. There |
| You can walk with a partner, friend, | | | | may be walking trails you've never seen |
| family member or dog, maybe even a | | | | but wanted to. |
| neighbor's dog. Or you can walk with | | | | Wherever and however you choose to walk, |
| your favorite headset and music. If you | | | | not only can the experience be fun, |
| are walking outdoors with a headset, | | | | you'll know you're being good to your |
| keep one ear open to hear the sounds | | | | body in a variety of ways. Besides the |
| around you. | | | | incredible breast cancer statistics and |
| As for basic walking tips: | | | | findings of the breast cancer study, |
| · As you begin regular walking, take | | | | walking helps with weight control and |
| it easy. Standard advice is to check | | | | bone strength, elevates mood, helps |
| with your physician before starting any | | | | build and maintain healthy muscles, |
| exercise program. If it's been years or | | | | joints and heart. With so many great |
| decades since you walked regularly, | | | | health benefits, why not get started |
| perhaps you can begin with 5 minutes of | | | | walking today! |