Guidelines: Exercise more, not harder

You can run it, walk it or crawl it, but when it comes to the health benefits, a mile is just a mile.

That's the main message the government is likely to include in recommended exercise guidelines it will issue later this year as a complement to its famous food pyramid.

"Despite the fact that there has been a national policy with respect to nutrition for years, there has never been any national policy with respect to physical activity," said Dr. William Kraus, a Duke University cardiologist and professor of medicine, one of 13 fitness experts who helped compile information for the guidelines.

"It appears that the most important parameter is how much exercise you do, NOT how hard you do it," Kraus said. "Whether you walk a mile, jog a mile or sprint a mile, it burns about 100 kilocalories," with the same health benefits, Kraus said.

Ideally, the average American should be walking, jogging or running about nine to 10 miles a week, Kraus said. The pace affects only how quickly you want to get it over with.

Bonnie - exercise is a crucial cog of an optimal wellness plan. Walking is not that hard. Just do it!