Any amount of exercise you can work into your lifestyle can help strengthen your heart, reduce stress and help you lose weight—all of which can help lower your blood pressure. The goal is not to turn you into an athlete or a "workout warrior," but to find ways to adopt a healthier lifestyle. When you add physical activity to your medication and healthy food choices, you give yourself the best chance of achieving your blood pressure goal.
Here are some tips that can start you on an exercise or activity program:
Walk it off. Take a 20- to 30-minute stroll after dinner three times a week. Grab some headphones and listen to an audio book to help you pass the time. And remember, you can walk briskly for 10 minutes three times a day and have about the same benefits!
Get out and about. Play with your kids or grandkids in the yard, throw the ball around with your dog, do some gardening, bicycle around your neighborhood—pick an activity you enjoy and make it part of your routine.
Dance like no one's watching. Put on your favorite tunes and let your body move to the music.
Remember to always check with your healthcare professional before starting an exercise program. For more suggestions on how to add physical activity to your lifestyle, join the BP Success Zone Program today!
