This is from the January-February issue of the AARP Bulletin.
1. Get fit
Increase aerobic capacity by 19%
Increase physical function (no, I don’t know what that means) by 25%
Decrease risk of disability by 41%
2.Save on annual medical bills
Normal-weight retiree: $3,300
Overweight retiree: $2,500
Entire country: $1.4 trillion
3. Improve cardiovascular health
Reduce risk of heart disease by 32%
Reduce risk of stroke by 33%
Reduce risk of Type 2 diabetes by 71%
4. Fight cancer
Reduce risk of breast cancer by 18%
Reduce risk of colon cancer by 31%
Reduce survival rate of all cancers by 33%
5. Lose weight
Expend 150 calories if you walk once
Lose 1.3 pounds if you walk 50 miles a month
Lose 15.6 pounds if you walk 50 miles a month for a year
6. Accelerate recovery
Reduce symptoms of depression by 47%
Healing of skin wounds shortened by 10 days
7. Battle degenerative disease
Reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 40%
Reduce risk of arthritis by 46%
Lose 0% of bone density to lessen risk or progress of osteoporosis