The post-holiday paths to local gymnasiums are paved with the best of intentions. After indulging in an assortment of goodies from Thanksgiving through the end of December, millions of Americans set New Year’s resolutions built on promises of slimming down and shaping up. For many, the prospect of sweating at the gym five days a week or eliminating pizza as a food group loses its appeal after a week or two. When it comes to heart health, however, a radical lifestyle change isn’t required to affect positive change. John Quindry, director of Auburn University’s Cardioprotection Research Laboratory, said far too many people associate hour-long elliptical machine sessions as the most effective means of building a healthy heart. ‘There’s something about a new year where people muster up the courage to actually make some great claims and expectations for the year ahead, claims that most of the time go completely unfulfilled,” said Quindry, an assistant professor of exercise science in the College of Education’s Department of Kinesiology. ‘Just getting out and walking or jogging for the recommended 30 to 45 minutes most days is going to be enough to help.” Quindry said the point can’t be […]