It may be mid-October, but soon it will be the season to eat! Between Halloween candy, Thanksgiving turkey and all the holiday gatherings of December, food is at the center of many festivities. With all those delicious treats on the horizon, our team at AFC Urgent Care Fountain City wants to encourage you to get out and active this season! Have You Considered Running or Walking a 5K? How many of you feel that, after the holiday season, you have gained more than 10 pounds? You’re not alone, which is why many Americans’ first New Year’s resolution is to lose weight. According to researchers, people mostly gain around one or two pounds over the holidays. The problem is, though, that many of those who gain weight don’t lose it, so the weight gain adds up year after year. Fortunately, you can stop the holiday weight gain cycle in its tracks. One way to do so is through regular exercise. Have you ever thought about training for a 5K or other race? Running or walking a 5K offers a number of health benefits, which is probably why it’s one of the most popular forms of exercise. Did you know that, on average, a person can burn approximately 100 calories in a mile of running? And, since the Calorie Control Council estimates that an average American consumes about 4,500 caloriesduring a holiday gathering, the calorie burn that exercise can bring is especially beneficial. The calorie burn isn’t the only benefit that training for and participating in a 5K race offers. Other health advantages include:
- Improved bone density
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower cholesterol
- Prevention of a number of medical conditions, including cancer, arthritis and heart disease
- Strengthened heart and lungs
Of course, during the holiday season, the benefit that outranks them all is the fact that regular exercise can help motivate you to make healthier food choices. You want to fuel your body with the right foods (and not waste your effort), which means you’ll be more likely to eat fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Who knows? By training for a race during this time of the year, you might just lose weight instead of gaining weight this season. Wouldn’t that make for an extra amazing holiday? Run, [INSERT YOUR NAME], Run! Are you ready to either walk or run your next 5K? Check out the local runs happening this month in and around Knoxville, including:
- Clinton 5K—Oct. 21
- Komen Knoxville Race for the Cure—Oct. 21
- I.C. King of Trails Race—Oct. 22
- Sprint for the Prints—Oct. 28
- Veterans Heritage Ridge Run —Oct. 28
- Hops and Hope Octoberfest 5K and One Miler—Oct. 29
Whether you’re looking to participate in future races or you suffered an injury during your last race, visit AFC Urgent Care Fountain City so that we can ensure your health is on the right path.
