Spring is in the air, and suddenly more and more people are exercising. They’re out on the roads running or cycling, or arrive at work lugging their gym bags. But for those of us who’ve been vegetating on the couch, the thought of that kind of activity is daunting – even if we know we really should do some form of exercise.
The good news is you don’t have to tackle marathons to reap the benefits of exercise. Even running for as little as five to 10 minutes a day can reduce your risk of dying from heart disease and increase longevity, according to research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
What’s more, you can run on your own or as part of a group.
“Running is free,” says Ndyebo Mapekula, captain of Adidas Running Club in Cape Town. “It’s a great way to keep your cholesterol in check and to relieve stress. Many people run to clear their heads, especially if they do it outside where they can enjoy the environment.”
What if you want to get started but are concerned because you can barely walk up a flight of stairs without gasping for breath?
Adopting a realistic programme is a good way to start, says Steve Att well, a coach with fitness organisation Embark. “This will help you to improve faster, instead of just taking it as it comes.”
Attwell and Mapekula also suggest finding an exercise partner or someone to run with you.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 3 October 2019-Ausgabe von YOU South Africa.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 3 October 2019-Ausgabe von YOU South Africa.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
PUSHED TO THE LIMIT
The unusual relationship between an heiress and her husband has taken a sinister twist
HOW TO MAKE A SUPERBABY
Noor Siddiqui says her company can test embryos for hundreds of conditions from diabetes to Alzheimer's. Critics call it social engineering but she insists she's just giving prospective parents the means to avoid a lot of future heartache
THE GROWN-UP BRAIN
If you think your brain deteriorates as you age, think again!
THE eyes HAVE IT
They're the windows to our soul - and the first place to show the stresses of everyday life. Juliette Winter reveals expert tips to de-puff, brighten and smooth this delicate area
WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER
It hasn't been an easy road but now this bodybuilding couple are making waves in the industry
I CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER!
Annetjie's about to get effective treatment for the skin condition that has blighted her life and she's looking forward to hitting the shops and facing the world
'SHE NO THREAT TO ANYONE'
When SA boxer Chris van Heerden's Russian girlfriend went to visit her parents she was thrown in jail and accused of treasonnow he's in a fight to free her
SUNK IN 16 MINUTES!
A sun-drenched holiday turned into a living nightmare for those aboard this luxury vessel
READY TO SMILE AGAIN
A groundbreaking surgical procedure will restore this Limpopo teen's badly damaged jaw and teeth
HARRY AT A CROSSROADS
As the prince turns 40, royal experts paint a picture of a troubled soul- isolated, homesick and struggling to find a purpose in life