How to Lower Cholesterol Through Exercise

Research demonstrates that you can lower your cholesterol through exercise combined with healthy eating habits. Just follow these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Learn to Lower Cholesterol Through Exercise

1. Start each exercise session with warm-up exercises to kick your circulation into gear. Simple stretching is ideal.
2. Get moving. A 20 to 30-minute walk, three to four times per week, is the best way to start. After 8 weeks of this habitual walking, you may escalate your daily sessions to an hour, 6 to 7 days per week.
3. Get the most from your walking exercise on a treadmill. Most machines can simulate hilly terrains and inclines (even declines) to help you maximize the benefit of this physical activity.
4. Join an aerobics class, or similar guided instructional class. Group participation is a lot more fun and may encourage you to return week after week.
5. Consider adding a low-impact exercise to your routine, such as yoga or Pilates. These forms of exercise promote discipline, positive outlook and relaxation techniques to reduce stress.

Tips & Warnings

• It's not necessary to run out and buy the latest in exercise equipment or buy a membership to the gym. Simple, regular exercise three times a week, in addition to a sensible diet, can help lower your cholesterol.
• Just 20 to 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day can help signifcantly lower your cholesterol.
• Another benefit of regular exercise is weight loss, which can also help increase HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol levels. This is expecially true of trimming excess pounds from the waist and abdomen.
• Get a medical screening from your doctor before beginning an exercise program, especially if you have an existing medical condition, such as diabetes, asthma or heart disease.
• Wear proper footwear at all times while exercising to prevent injuries.