Staying active is an important part of any cholesterol management program. The good news is that staying active doesn't necessarily mean going to the gym. There are plenty of everyday activities that can help you stay active and that fit perfectly into your regular routine.
Culturally, being "curvy" might be considered attractive. However, if those pounds continue to add up, being overweight or obese can actually increase your cholesterol levels.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hispanic/Latino men and women are more likely to be overweight and less likely to participate in vigorous physical activity than non-Hispanic/Latino white or black men and women. Hispanic/Latino men and women are also more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic/Latino white men and women.
Staying active and losing weight could help lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise your HDL (good) cholesterol. And there are other benefits to staying active. It can also help you improve your health by reducing the possibility of developing diabetes, lowering blood pressure, improving overall fitness, and reducing stress.
Of course, your doctor should advise you on an appropriate weight for you. How much you may need to increase your activity level will depend on your medical condition and your current fitness level. Be sure to ask your doctor how much physical activity is right for you. In general, most people should try to stay active for 30 minutes on most days of the week.
Here are some simple examples of things to do to stay active.
- Take the stairs instead of riding on the elevator
- Park your car in the spot furthest from the door, or get off the train or bus a few stops sooner and walk the rest of the way
- Try dancing to burn off some extra calories
- Play a sport recreationally with family or friends, such as soccer or baseball
- Take a walk at lunch, or at night after dinner