walking

Wouldn't it be great for women to have access to an easy, heart-healthy exercise they could do just about anywhere at any time? Well, that [...]

Wouldn't it be great for women to have access to an easy, heart-healthy exercise they could do just about anywhere at any time? Well, that [...]

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES Walking: Trim your waistline, improve your health Pressed for time but want to fit in some [...]

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES Flu shot: Your best bet for avoiding influenza Flu season is nearly here, so it's a [...]

When it comes to the idea that running is good for the heart, six miles a week may be the magic goal number. In [...]

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am 53 and about 60 pounds overweight. I want to start walking to lose some weight but don’t know where to start. What do you recommend? Would a tracking device help someone like me, or should I aim for a certain distance or number of minutes? ANSWER: Walking can be an excellent part of a weight-loss plan, and wearing a monitor that tracks your activity can help you see if you are reaching your goals. It also gives you useful information about how much you are moving throughout the day, not just while you exercise. In addition, some studies show that wearing an activity tracker makes it more likely you will increase your activity. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that all healthy adults get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity. When you want to lose weight, however, you may need up to 300 minutes a week of moderate physical activity. The guidelines suggest that you spread out your exercise over the course of a week. Activity sessions should be at least 10 minutes long.

In today's Mayo Clinic News Network Headline with Vivien Williams:

• Walking saves lives: A new study suggests that office workers who [...]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iejJR9m7ig&feature=youtu.be News from Mayo Clinic Medical Laboratories ROCHESTER, Minn. — Summer fun often includes hiking, biking, and just enjoying the great outdoors. But hanging out in parks or walking on trails also invites ticks to hop a ride. Below are four tips from the Mayo Clinic Parasitology Laboratory for arming yourself against these unwanted visitors:  1. Use repellants that contain 20 to 30 percent DEET or 20 percent picaridin: Bobbi Pritt, M.D., clinical microbiologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, says that applying repellant to exposed skin and clothing will provide protection for several hours. “You can also wear clothing treated with permethrin to keep bugs away,” adds Dr. Pritt.  2. Wear long sleeves and tuck pants into socks: Covering your body and sealing off “entry points” from little critters helps prevent bites. Dr. Pritt also suggests wearing light-colored clothing to make it easier to spot ticks.  3. Avoid areas where ticks are prevalent: When hiking, stay in the middle of the trail and avoid areas with high grass or leaf litter.  4. Check yourself carefully for ticks, removing any right away using small forceps: When you get back from a hike or picnic, make sure you check yourself carefully for ticks. “Ticks can transmit important disease-causing organisms to humans and pets,” says Dr. Pritt, “It’s vital to remove any attached ticks right away using forceps.” Journalists: Video is available in the downloads. MEDIA CONTACT: Andy Tofilon, Mayo Medical Laboratories, 507-538-5245, newsbureau@mayo.edu