What's one of the best things you can do to get out there and start exercising? Believe it or not, it could be getting a dog.
Robert Sallis, MD, says having a pooch in the house makes it much more likely that people will get out and do a little walking. And studies show that people who walk more tend to live longer.
"When you have a dog standing at the door wanting to go out for a walk, it's hard to say no," Dr. Sallis adds. "It's the little push some people need."
Dr. Sallis says owning a dog is especially beneficial for the elderly since seniors who are physically active are much less likely to develop conditions like Alzheimer's.
"It's been proven over and over," he asserts, citing a study by the Journal of the American Medical Association (Effect of Physical Activity on Cognitive Function in Older Adults at Risk for Alzheimer Disease) as further proof.
"Those who engage in physical activity are 37 percent less likely to get Alzheimer's and those with healthy diets are 40 percent less likely. Put them both together and seniors are 59 percent less likely to get Alzheimer's."
As for taking the cat for a walk, that might be a little harder. But it never hurts to try.
filed in: Exercise & Fitness
subjects: fitness, healthy-habits
