Experts recommend working out 45 minutes to an hour a day (30 minutes for beginners) for weight loss and fitness. But if you're like most women, you don't always have a block of 30 to 60 minutes a day to devote exclusively to doing your workouts.
You can still exercise--you just need to sneak in the equivalent in resourceful ways. "The idea is to keep moving," says fitness expert Ann Grandjean, EdD. "Get a cordless phone or put a long cord on your regular phone, and walk when you talk. Find whatever works for you and just move. Park half a mile from the mall and walk. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Those little, itty-bitty things add up."
Every Stolen Moment Adds Up
Lest you think that short bursts of activity have a negligible effect on your fitness program, think again. One study found that women who split their exercise into 10-minute increments were more likely to exercise consistently, and lost more weight after 5 months, than women who exercised for 20 to 40 minutes at a time.
In a landmark study conducted at the University of Virginia, exercise physiologist Glenn Gaesser, PhD, asked men and women to complete 15 10-minute exercise routines a week. After just 21 days, the volunteers' aerobic fitness was equal to that of people 10 to 15 years younger. Their strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility were equal to those of people up to 20 years their junior.
In yet another study, researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore found that for improving health and fitness in inactive adults, many short bursts of activity are as effective as longer, structured workouts. "It would be useful for people to get out of the all-or-nothing mind-set that unless they exercise for 30 minutes, they're wasting their time," says Gaesser.
Breaking exercise into small chunks on your overscheduled days can also keep your confidence up, says Harold Taylor, time management expert and owner of Harold Taylor Time Consultants in Toronto, who has written extensively on the subject. "Skipping exercise altogether is 'de-motivational'--you feel depressed and guilty," Taylor says. "If you skip it, you tend to figure, 'What's the use? I can't keep up with it anyway.' Yet as long as you make some effort each day, that motivates you onward. Success breeds success."
Keep in mind, though, that short bursts of exercise are meant to supplement, not replace, your regular fitness routine. Here's a roundup of practical ways to work exercise into your day even when you "don't have time to exercise." (You don't have to do them all in 1 day; select what works for you.)
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Showing posts with label Exercise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exercise. Show all posts
Aug 17, 2010
Aug 12, 2010
A Workout For People Who Don't Want To Work Out
There's good news for people who want to watch their weight without giving up watching TV. Now there's a new workout for couch potatoes and people who think they're too busy to find time to stay fit.
With time at a premium, many Americans are turning to creative forms of exercise. In a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive for the North American Spine Society, three out of four people said they used the stairs rather than the elevator at work, 58 percent said they started parking their cars far away in parking lots and almost half reported walking while on the phone.
At the same time, however, 46 percent of people described themselves as couch potatoes--a major contributing factor to being overweight. Many adults say they have procrastinated working out in order to do other activities, such as watching television, sleeping in, doing household chores or working.
Approximately three in four adults say they would exercise more if they could fit it into their daily routines, however, and a majority of adults say they would exercise more often if they could do it at home. Among noncouch potatoes, 80 percent would like to get more exercise, but say they don't have the time.
Meanwhile, more than 4 million Americans suffer disc problems. One out of four Americans over 30 will have recurring back pain, and one in 14 will seek medical care for back or neck pain this year, totalling almost 14 million visits per year. Back pain is the second most common reason that people visit a physician. Back and neck pain result in more lost workdays than any other condition. Due to absenteeism, medical and other related expenses, the cost of back injuries exceeds $80 billion each year in the United States. Exercise is one way to avoid back problems.
That's why it's important to find time to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. In addition to things such as climbing stairs and parking farther away, there are a number of fun ways to make your daily tasks opportunities to exercise:
Feet Alphabet. This exercise can be done anywhere you are sitting, except while driving. It should not be hard to find a place. Simply write the alphabet in the air with each of your feet and ankles. You can do the letters in capitals or small letters and, for that matter, in any language you would like. Doing this two or three times on each ankle will begin to strengthen the ankle and maintain or improve motion.
• Doing the Dishes Neck Circles. This exercise is easily done while doing the always fun task of washing the dishes. As you are standing there at the sink, slowly rotate your neck in a clockwise position, trying to extend the tip of your head out as far as possible. After three or four rotations, repeat the exercise in a counter-clockwise position. Remember, these rotations should be done slowly and in a pain-free range of motion. Besides increasing the flexibility of the neck, these exercises can pass the time of doing dishes.
• Overhead Laundry Toss. Put the laundry basket directly in front of you and have the washer or dryer directly behind you. Grab a piece or two of dirty clothes, reach over your head slowly and drop the laundry into the washer. Again, start with dry clothes, then progress to wet clothes from the washer into the dryer.
Remote Wrist Lifts. This can be done on any Sunday afternoon watching multiple football games. Simply take the remote control (use the biggest one you have from the pile of remotes) and, while sitting watching your favorite team or movie and with your arm pointing toward the TV, aim the remote at the ceiling, moving your wrist only. Hold it there for 10 seconds, then aim it at the floor, again only moving the wrist. Repeat this three to four times during every commercial. Be careful not to accidentally change the channel when doing this exercise or it may irritate people who are watching TV with you.
These are just some ideas from "The Couch Potato Workout: 101 Exercises You Can Do At Home!" by Joel M. Press, M.D., president of the North American Spine Society and medical director of the Spine and Sports Institute at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. "The Couch Potato Workout" describes numerous practical and functional exercises people can do to build strength, balance and flexibility as part of their normal daily routine.
With time at a premium, many Americans are turning to creative forms of exercise. In a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive for the North American Spine Society, three out of four people said they used the stairs rather than the elevator at work, 58 percent said they started parking their cars far away in parking lots and almost half reported walking while on the phone.
At the same time, however, 46 percent of people described themselves as couch potatoes--a major contributing factor to being overweight. Many adults say they have procrastinated working out in order to do other activities, such as watching television, sleeping in, doing household chores or working.
Approximately three in four adults say they would exercise more if they could fit it into their daily routines, however, and a majority of adults say they would exercise more often if they could do it at home. Among noncouch potatoes, 80 percent would like to get more exercise, but say they don't have the time.
Meanwhile, more than 4 million Americans suffer disc problems. One out of four Americans over 30 will have recurring back pain, and one in 14 will seek medical care for back or neck pain this year, totalling almost 14 million visits per year. Back pain is the second most common reason that people visit a physician. Back and neck pain result in more lost workdays than any other condition. Due to absenteeism, medical and other related expenses, the cost of back injuries exceeds $80 billion each year in the United States. Exercise is one way to avoid back problems.
That's why it's important to find time to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. In addition to things such as climbing stairs and parking farther away, there are a number of fun ways to make your daily tasks opportunities to exercise:
Feet Alphabet. This exercise can be done anywhere you are sitting, except while driving. It should not be hard to find a place. Simply write the alphabet in the air with each of your feet and ankles. You can do the letters in capitals or small letters and, for that matter, in any language you would like. Doing this two or three times on each ankle will begin to strengthen the ankle and maintain or improve motion.
• Doing the Dishes Neck Circles. This exercise is easily done while doing the always fun task of washing the dishes. As you are standing there at the sink, slowly rotate your neck in a clockwise position, trying to extend the tip of your head out as far as possible. After three or four rotations, repeat the exercise in a counter-clockwise position. Remember, these rotations should be done slowly and in a pain-free range of motion. Besides increasing the flexibility of the neck, these exercises can pass the time of doing dishes.
• Overhead Laundry Toss. Put the laundry basket directly in front of you and have the washer or dryer directly behind you. Grab a piece or two of dirty clothes, reach over your head slowly and drop the laundry into the washer. Again, start with dry clothes, then progress to wet clothes from the washer into the dryer.
Remote Wrist Lifts. This can be done on any Sunday afternoon watching multiple football games. Simply take the remote control (use the biggest one you have from the pile of remotes) and, while sitting watching your favorite team or movie and with your arm pointing toward the TV, aim the remote at the ceiling, moving your wrist only. Hold it there for 10 seconds, then aim it at the floor, again only moving the wrist. Repeat this three to four times during every commercial. Be careful not to accidentally change the channel when doing this exercise or it may irritate people who are watching TV with you.
These are just some ideas from "The Couch Potato Workout: 101 Exercises You Can Do At Home!" by Joel M. Press, M.D., president of the North American Spine Society and medical director of the Spine and Sports Institute at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. "The Couch Potato Workout" describes numerous practical and functional exercises people can do to build strength, balance and flexibility as part of their normal daily routine.
Aug 4, 2010
Water And Exercise
The human body is made up of over 75% of water, and
as we all know, we cannot live without water. The
fact is, we can only survive for a total of 3 days
without water. Water has however, been replaced in
most diets by soft drinks and other sugar sweetened
refreshments. Keep in mind that water is a healthier
and necessary for leading yourself towards a better
health and longevity.
Your own personal need for water can vary greatly
due to exercise, weight, and temperature. Research
has proven that over 2/3 of adults don't get the
water they need on a daily basis. By drinking water
on a regular basis you can replenish your body and
keep it well hydrated and functioning as it should be.
A majority of us wait until we are thirsty before
we drink water. Keep in mind, this way isn't a
reliable gauge of the water needs for the body. By
the time you are thirsty you have already lost two
of more cups of the body's water supply. Therefore,
drinking water regularly is much better than simply
waiting until you are thirsty.
It is very important that you don't substitute
beverages with alcohol and caffeine for water. The
reason behind this is that those types of beverages
act as a diuretic and can cause you to lose more
weight through increased urination. You may think
and feel as if you are getting more water through
these beverages, although the fact is that you
are letting it go almost as fast as you consume it.
Anytime you exercise, you need more water. Due to
perspiration, your body will lose quite a bit of
water. For each pound lost due to exercise, you need
to drink 2 cups of water. Even when you lay down
to sleep, your body loses water. By drinking a
glass or more of water before you go to sleep, you
can wake up with your body functioning as it should
be.
It should become more obvious that when you are sick
you'll need more water than any other tine. When
you get a cold or the flu, your body can become
dehydrated quite quickly. You can help to prevent
this by drinking more water at times when you become
sick.
There are several mixed opinions as to whether
purified water will actually provide benefit. This
is a subject you should explore yourself as you
determine the best type of water for yourself.
Always make it a habit to drink water on a daily
basis. You should keep a bottle of water with you
at all times and drink it throughout the day. You
should also teach yourself to drink water instead
of other beverages that don't replenish the nutrients
your body needs.
as we all know, we cannot live without water. The
fact is, we can only survive for a total of 3 days
without water. Water has however, been replaced in
most diets by soft drinks and other sugar sweetened
refreshments. Keep in mind that water is a healthier
and necessary for leading yourself towards a better
health and longevity.
Your own personal need for water can vary greatly
due to exercise, weight, and temperature. Research
has proven that over 2/3 of adults don't get the
water they need on a daily basis. By drinking water
on a regular basis you can replenish your body and
keep it well hydrated and functioning as it should be.
A majority of us wait until we are thirsty before
we drink water. Keep in mind, this way isn't a
reliable gauge of the water needs for the body. By
the time you are thirsty you have already lost two
of more cups of the body's water supply. Therefore,
drinking water regularly is much better than simply
waiting until you are thirsty.
It is very important that you don't substitute
beverages with alcohol and caffeine for water. The
reason behind this is that those types of beverages
act as a diuretic and can cause you to lose more
weight through increased urination. You may think
and feel as if you are getting more water through
these beverages, although the fact is that you
are letting it go almost as fast as you consume it.
Anytime you exercise, you need more water. Due to
perspiration, your body will lose quite a bit of
water. For each pound lost due to exercise, you need
to drink 2 cups of water. Even when you lay down
to sleep, your body loses water. By drinking a
glass or more of water before you go to sleep, you
can wake up with your body functioning as it should
be.
It should become more obvious that when you are sick
you'll need more water than any other tine. When
you get a cold or the flu, your body can become
dehydrated quite quickly. You can help to prevent
this by drinking more water at times when you become
sick.
There are several mixed opinions as to whether
purified water will actually provide benefit. This
is a subject you should explore yourself as you
determine the best type of water for yourself.
Always make it a habit to drink water on a daily
basis. You should keep a bottle of water with you
at all times and drink it throughout the day. You
should also teach yourself to drink water instead
of other beverages that don't replenish the nutrients
your body needs.
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