8 Fitness Tips to Help Lower Your Cholesterol
Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD
Get up and move! There’s no question that aerobic exercise will improve your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. To get the most benefits, rev it up -- vigorous exercise has a longer-lasting and more significant impact. When you’re exercising vigorously, you’ll start sweating within three to five minutes and be able to still talk but not sing.
Whether you’re just getting started or are an exercise veteran, these tips will keep you moving.
Get Ready…
- Check with your doctor first. If you have a personal or family history of heart disease, it’s an especially good idea to get your doctor’s okay before starting a new exercise program.
- Equip yourself. For any kind of “cardio,” such as walking, running, or playing tennis, you’ll need the right shoes. Treat yourself to comfy -- and supportive -- footwear. You might also want to try an exercise DVD, a gym membership, light hand weights, or resistance bands.
- Choose the right workout. Your sister may swear by Zumba, but if you’ve always felt like you have two left feet, you may be happier walking or swimming.
Get Set…
- Find a buddy . Exercise is often more fun when you have a partner. It’s harder to skip a session, too, when you know you’ll be leaving a friend in the lurch!
- Weather -- or not. Make a list of activities you can do indoors or out, no matter what the season. If you love tennis, try adding indoor squash or handball. If walking outside is your favorite activity, find a mall or inside track so you can keep up the pace when winter weather howls.
- Put technology to work. Whether you’re looking for a new bike trail or want to monitor your heart rate, your smartphone can help. There are hundreds of fitness-themed apps available -- many for free!
- Schedule your workouts. Don’t say, “I’m going to try to exercise more this week.” Say, “I’m going to walk briskly for 30 minutes Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.” You’re more likely to stick with an exercise plan if you schedule it.
source : Get Active to Lower Triglycerides & Cholesterol
