Health tips

Year after year we make resolutions to exercise regularly, eat well, and give up smoking and other bad habits. Following such basic rules can cut heart disease risk by 80 percent, diabetes risk by 90 percent and cancer risk by 50 percent, according to the Harvard Nurses� Health Study. But most of us fail to keep our promises to ourselves. Some American experts have given the following tips for practical ways to get � and stay � healthy. 1 .Wear a pedometer. New research suggests that routinely wearing a pedometer encourages people to walk about an extra mile each day, lose weight, and lower their blood pressure. Aim for at least 30 minutes of brisk walking and a total of 10,000 steps per day. 2. Don�t forget strength training, involving both the upper and lower body. Too many people neglect resistance exercise, particularly women for whom it�s crucial for preventing muscle and bone loss with age. Lift weights for at least 20 minutes, two- to three-times per week. 3. Don�t pop too many ...