It's hard to believe that July is here already—wasn't it just New Year's? Many of us set some goals for better fitness/health back in January. How are you coming with those? Have you fallen off the track? Here are my suggestions for taking advantage of summer weather while keeping up with your goals for a healthier you.
Walking is an exercise that just about everyone can do and it’s one of the best ways to prevent a whole range of diseases that can attack your body when it’s inactive. Whether you live at home or in assisted living, there are many opportunities to walk during the nice weather. You can get together with a few friends and walk to a local coffee shop, reward yourselves with a nice cup of green tea or some lemonade, then walk back. If it's too long a distance you can always take a cab or a bus back. And, if you're going to walk, you may as well get the most benefit from your effort:

1. Breathe deeply when you walk. The combination of deep, full breaths and exercise will send fresh, oxygenated blood throughout your body making all the organs, glands and muscles healthier and happier. You will find it easier to walk with deep full breaths—inhale to the count of 5 or 6 and exhale to the count of 6 or 7. Many of us huff and puff when we walk and this shallow form of breathing gives our bodies less oxygen which then makes our muscles stiff and our organs have to work harder. Begin paying attention to your breathing and you'll see a difference in how good you feel.

2. Another tip that makes walking easier is to take a minute before you start and raise your shoulders up toward your ears, then push them back and feel your chest expand as you inhale. Now relax your shoulders, but try to keep them back and relaxed with your chest expanded. This should make it easier to breathe deeply and at the same time it will allow your arms to swing freely at your sides. Take a few