A Daily Dose of Walking: It's Good Medicine

This is a new feature section, written by Mitzi Ekers, to help you improve your vascular health through exercise.

1. Variety is the spice of life. While it's good to have a regular walking route to measure improvement, you may get bored. A change may give you new motivation to keep walking. Try a different neighborhood, the mall, a park, along a lake.
   
   
2. If the shoe fits…wear it around the block. If it doesn't, throw it out. Treat yourself to some really good walking/exercise shoes. It will keep you feet protected and make the walk easier.
   
   
3. Leave your cigarettes at home! One of the best ways to help yourself quit smoking is to go for a walk when the craving strikes. That craving will pass even if you don't smoke. WALK! Breathe in some good oxygen instead of tar and nicotine. Your arteries will be happier and healthier.

Author, Mitzi Ekers, MS, ARNP, is a nurse practitioner who has been working with vascular patients for more than 30 years. She is Director of Vascular Services at the Heart and Vascular Institute of Florida in St. Petersburg. She helped start both the Society for Vascular Nursing and the Society of Vascular Technology.