According to The New York Post, Abreu used to struggle with weight and had a preference for eating a lot of processed foods. Thanks to a very simple but effective exercise, she lost more than 45kg in just one year.
Surprisingly effective exercise
At one point, Abreu's weight reached more than 110kg. With this health condition, long nursing shifts make her quickly exhausted. Besides, thanks to his daily work, Abreu sees elderly patients struggling to move and facing many limitations.
“When I was young, I didn't like exercise. I even cry if someone asks me to go for a walk," the 25-year-old girl recalled. She also secretly ordered fast food before her parents could come home and find out.
"I have a need to eat so much that sometimes I feel uncomfortable," Abreu said.
The turning point occurred during the blockade due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With a lot of stress in work and life, Abreu chose to walk to improve his mental health, but did not expect the physical effects that this sport brings.
She discovered the positive effects of exercise, and from there was motivated to adjust her diet. Although he hasn't changed significantly, Abreu still controls portion sizes and makes healthier food choices, avoiding processed foods.
Currently, the 25-year-old girl is healthier and slimmer. Every day, she walks about 10.000 steps, goes to the gym four times a week and even jogs 5km.
After a year of losing 45kg, Abreu said she felt more "comfortable and secure".
Walk 30 minutes every day
According to Better Health, walking is a great way to improve or maintain overall health. Just 30 minutes of walking a day can improve cardiovascular health, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and increase muscle strength and endurance.
Walking can also reduce your risk of diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers. Unlike some other forms of exercise, walking is a free activity and does not require any special equipment or training.
Walking can be done at any time of day and at your own pace, and is less likely to cause impact or injury. This is a very suitable choice for overweight people, the elderly or those who have not exercised for a long time.
Some tips for safe and effective walking
Please use the pedestrian-only area. Carefully watch for vehicles if you walk at night or early in the morning.
Wear comfortable shoes and clothes that won't hurt your heels or cause discomfort.
Drink plenty of water before and after walking to stay hydrated.
Apply sunscreen to avoid sunburn, even on cloudy days.
Choose to start at a speed appropriate to your age and physical condition, then gradually increase it such as choosing steep, hilly areas or increasing speed.
You can choose different walking routes to create something new for each workout.
You can invite friends or family to walk together. This is not only an opportunity to bond between members, but also to spread healthy habits to each other.
If walking with children, make sure the route and walking time are appropriate for the child's age.
If you don't have time to walk during the week, the simplest way is to use the stairs instead of the elevator.