It’s Heart month

By Sean Delaney

February is heart month, and in honour of that, we have some tips for your ticker.

Exercise is an essential part of good health, and these sometimes unknown facts, may be keeping you from getting yours.

Easily the most popular reason offered for avoiding or procrastinating when it comes to exercise. But just 20 to 30 minutes is enough. Getting your heart rate up is the goal, and even if you have to do it in small segments throughout the day, you are doing your heart, and your health, good. Studies say as little as 75 minutes of exercise per week can add almost two years to your life.

Yes, a good aerobic workout can continue to burn calories once your done, as your heart slows down, but don’t mix up calorie burning and building your metabolism.

Your metabolism will continue at a higher rate after exercise, but just having that extra pump going, doesn’t mean your body will be burning significant calories.

In other words, exercising is not a license to cheat. Stick to that healthy diet.

Exercising frequently also does not mean you should eat more. Watch your portion control even if you increase your activity.

Many people that frequent the gym will tell you it’s not just a hobby, but a way of life. They will develop their routines and may need the trip to a facility to get their juices going. But going to the gym, is certainly not a must when it comes to maintaining good health.

Mother Nature offers the best alternatives when it comes to exercise equipment. There is no compare to just taking a solid walk, and that can be accomplished almost anywhere (please, be safe).

However, technologies have also brought us plenty of options. And if two years of isolating and staying home have taught us anything, many things we traveled for previously, can actually be achieved in the home. YouTube, Zoom or Instagram, can transform your home into a gym.

How many people have heard the old exercise adage, if you’re not working up a sweat, you’re not exercising hard enough?

Well, it is good to keep in mind, especially as we advance in years and may need more frequent breaks, sweating or perspiring is not the only indication that you’ve been exerting yourself, and they aren’t a guarantee of it. Sweating is your body cooling itself. It’s possible to burn a significant amount of calories without breaking a sweat.