2. You exercise for 20 minutes a day
Bump it up. The new American Heart Association guidelines recommend 60 to 90 minutes of exercise most days for women who want to maintain or lose weight. Extra weight taxes the heart by elevating blood pressure, raising levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and lowering HDL cholesterol. Hitting this exercise mark is even more important after 40, because hormonal shifts make weight loss more difficult just when staying lean becomes crucial for heart protection. Regular workouts will also improve circulation and overall heart function, as well as help stave off depression, a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
