Here's a gift you
have to get for yourself this holiday season: 8 weeks.
Why? Because if you challenge yourself to eat better and exercise more, after just 8 short weeks of good habits, your arteries will start to become more elastic. Here's why that's so good for your heart.
Cardio Tune-UpWhen arteries are flexible and stretchy, they hold up better to wear and tear, and your heart doesn't have to work as hard to pump blood. Think of them like you would a rubber garden hose: One that's soft and flexible -- not stiff and brittle -- is far less likely to bust and cause water pressure problems.
(Are you artery smart? Test your knowledge with this multiple-choice question.) After just 8 weeks of eating a
Mediterranean-style diet and doing something active, like
walking every day, you can make all your internal hoses more elastic. Sounds like time well spent!
(Check your current heart health.) Another BenefitJust as great -- after 8 weeks, exercise starts to
feel easier because you've boosted your exercise capacity. You'll feel so good, you won't want to quit your new healthy habits. Make a commitment today to start diving into your
RealAge Plan as part of your New Year's resolutions.
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RealAge Benefit: Developing a RealAge Plan can make your RealAge as much as 29 years younger.
Effects of 8-Week Lifestyle Modification on Cardiovascular Structure and Function in Those at Risk for Cardiovascular Diseases. Aizawa, K., Marin, M., Torres Castro, I., Lawrence, M. A., Manley, J. A., Piche, L. A., Shoemaker, K. J., Petrella, R. J., University of Western Ontario, 6th Annual Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology Annual Conference.
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