I'm not big on hero worship, but I may have to re-think my position.
"The Hidden Benefits of Exercise," the cover story in the "Personal Journal" section of the Wall Street Journal (January 5, 2010), almost made me swoon.
There it was -- everything our Women's Sports Foundation has been saying for decades: "Even moderate physical activity can boost the immune system and protect against chronic disease." Yes!
Other studies show that exercise
-- lowers the risk of stroke by 27%,
-- reduces the incidence of diabetes by approximately 50%,
-- reduces the incidence of high-blood pressure by approximately 40%,
-- can reduce mortality and the risk of recurrent breast cancer by approximately 50%,
-- can lower the risk of colon cancer by over 60%, and
-- can reduce the risk of developing the risk of developing the Alzheimer's disease by approximately 40%.
Game, set and match. Less colds and flu, too. How can you beat those odds?
I urge you to share your healthy living story with me, because it is important to me to know what you are doing to improve your life. You can write to me at BJKBlog@womenssportsfoundation.org and I will send you a link to the Women's Sports Foundation's new study on health called Her Life Depends on It.
Go for it and happy new year of exercise and health to everyone.