February 14 is Valentine’s Day. And since 1963, when Congress and the American Heart Association declared the month of February, American Heart Month, the month for lovers has also been the month for protecting your heart against heart disease.
In keeping with this tradition, I would like to suggest some February reading for anyone concerned about his or her heart.
In his book Outliving Heart Disease leading cardiologist Dr. Richard Stein, cuts through the clutter and gives an effective game plan to live by. One of the things he stresses is the importance of regular aerobic exercise like brisk walking, jogging, biking, swimming, and low impact aerobic dance. For a free 20-minute online video heart lecture by Dr. Stein, go to www.movingfree.com.
I have been an advocate of aerobic exercise, both doing it and teaching it, for over 20 years. However, these days with Pilates and Yoga being the fitness flavors of the day, aerobic exercise is all but forgotten even by many fitness enthusiasts. Bad idea!
The health and fitness results that can be achieved with aerobic exercise alone are nearly magical. In fact, just a half hour of moderate daily aerobic exercise can cut your risk of a heart attack by a whooping 50 percent; and that is not all!
Aerobic exercise can:
Help to develop a stronger, more efficient heart muscle;
Reduce blood pressure;
Stimulate metabolism and reduce weight gain;
Help regulate glucose metabolism to prevent diabetes and
Increase the HDL or good cholesterol (which promotes healthier arteries).
As if that is not enough, aerobic exercise increases the amount of oxygen supplied to the brain improving mental function. In addition, during exercise, endorphins are released in the brain that seem to help reduce stress.
In addition, research published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that certain types of dance, particularly with routines to learn and remember, may help prevent age-onset memory loss and diseases like Alzheimer’s.
According to Dr. Joe Verghese, lead author of study conducted at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, “Cognitive activity may stave off dementia by increasing a person’s ‘cognitive reserve.’
So for a true mind-body workout, go out dancing with your Valentine, take an aerobics class or break out those low impact aerobic dance videos.
Send your Moving Free with Mirabai questions to askmirabai@movingfree.com.
Mirabai Holland M.F.A. is one of the leading authorities in the Health & Fitness industry, and public health activist specializing in preventive and rehabilitative exercise for women. Her Moving Free approach to exercise is designed to provide a movement experience so pleasant it doesn’t feel like work.
