Today is National Walk@Lunch Day, an initiative sponsored by The Blue Cross Blue Shield Companies as an extension of their WalkingWorks program.  The goal is to increase the awareness of the health benefits of physical activity and the role exercise plays in reducing medical costs associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

Missed your opportunity to walk at lunch?  You still can sneak in a little bit of physical activity with these suggestions:

• Walk to a colleague's office to personally discuss a project rather than sending an email.
• Turn your mid- to late-afternoon meeting into a walking conference.  Take to the halls or step outdoors to discuss business matters.
• Take a 15 minute break and climb up and down the stairwell in your office building.
• Go for an after-dinner stroll around the neighborhood before tackling the dinner dishes.

Note:  Before beginning an exercise program or increasing the intensity level of a current routine, a physician's approval should be obtained, especially for older adults and those at risk for or who currently have chronic health conditions.