Boost your heart health with this 28-day walking and strength training plan

Fitness tips that are great for your heart — and the rest of your body!

February 1, 2023 | VIEW IN BROWSER February 1, 2023 | VIEW IN BROWSER Good morning! February is heart health month and today we are kicking off our February Walking and Strength Challenge. To celebrate, today on the show Al Roker was joined by Stephanie and Start TODAY member Kathy Augustine, who had heart surgery 5 years ago.   Augustine is a major inspiration to the Start TODAY community, which she joined last summer to find support in healing her heart. She has lost 120 pounds and transformed her health outlook by participating in our monthly Start TODAY challenges.   In case you missed the show,  strength training is a crucial component of heart health. Please join us this month in the Facebook Group for some heart-boosting fitness, fun and motivating tips from pros like Mansour and members like Augustine. We can't wait to walk with you! CONNECT WITH THE GROUP > Walking Challenge Today's Workout Today is the first day of our February Challenge and it's focused on the upper body! Remember, upper body means more than arms! Keeping your core, back and shoulders engaged while you do arm exercises will give your whole body a boost! SEE MORE > Need a break from this month's challenge? Click here to snooze this section until next month. 😴 Your Meal Plan Today's Plan Hungry? Here's your meal for today:   Coffee Chia Parfait | Open-Faced Smoked Salmon Sandwich with Cucumber Slices | Snack | Lentil Tacos with Sauteed Kale   See something you don't like? Swap it with another recipe in your weekly plan. SEE MORE > Making Space for Mindfulness Inside the ancient practice of labyrinth walking Walking through a labyrinth has become a great option for people who want the benefits of meditation with activity and walking. NBC's Harry Smith visits the Civana Wellness Resort for a walk with an ancient connection. READ MORE > One Small Thing Real ways to make a difference in your life, one small thing at a time. Boost your heart health with this 28-day walking and strength training plan February is heart health month. When you think about heart health, you probably think cardio.  But studies show that doing a combination of cardio and strength training is more effective in improving strength, lean body mass and cardiovascular fitness than performing just cardio exercise alone.   Strength training improves blood flow and circulation in the body and helps improve risk factors for cardiovascular disease — like high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Plus, building lean muscle mass increases your metabolism, which helps the body burn more calories and makes it easier to maintain a healthy weight.   Join us for our February Challenge fun a fun workout — and a way to make heart-boosting a priority in your life! READ MORE > Wellness News I can't stop watching retro fitness videos. Here's why they're the best Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons were trailblazers for a reason. I can't stop watching retro fitness videos. Here's why they're the best Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons were trailblazers for a reason. This woman can walk for miles — less than 5 years after heart transplant surgery Kathy Augustine was only 28 years old when she was rushed to the hospital for emergency heart surgery in 2017. Now she can walk for miles at a time. This woman can walk for miles — less than 5 years after heart transplant surgery Kathy Augustine was only 28 years old when she was rushed to the hospital for emergency heart surgery in 2017. Now she can walk for miles at a time. Obesity may cause changes in the brain similar to Alzheimer's, according to a new study Being overweight in midlife has been linked to greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or dementia, and a new study shows that brain changes in obese people mirror some of those with Alzheimer's. Obesity may cause changes in the brain similar to Alzheimer's, according to a new study Being overweight in midlife has been linked to greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or dementia, and a new study shows that brain changes in obese people mirror some of those with Alzheimer's. Thanks for letting us in your inbox! See you again tomorrow morning. Want to refer a friend? Subscribe here Send us Feedback Follow us on Facebook More TODAY Newsletters 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 Manage Subscriptions | Unsubscribe | Privacy | Contact MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION | UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT