Walking just 5 minutes a day makes a difference

(CNN) —& With the start of the new year, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by unrealistic goals and fitness trends.But you don’t need to follow those fads. Research shows that even a short amount of walking — one of the most accessible forms of exercise — can help set you up for success when working toward other fitness achievements.Research shows that 11 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per day may lower your risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease or premature death. Does that sound like too much to start? Even as little as five minutes of walking per day could provide some health benefits, according to Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health in Denver.Just getting startedFreeman recommends aiming for 30 minutes of daily exercise, ideally brisk walking paired with weightlifting to create a high-intensity training program. But he said he knows that a structured workout of that length isn’t always feasible, especially for those in the early stages of their fitness journey.The key is to make movement a regular part of your day, which is why Freeman suggests people engage in any form of exercise, even if it’s incorporating a five-minute walk into your routine.Katy...