Yesterday I introduced you to the idea of doing your exercise in short manageable chunks during your day. Just 30 minutes in ten minute sessions. Well there is one more trick to making it work for you. Since the exercise is in brief intervals, it’s important that you do it at fairly high intensity to get the most benefit from it. You need to raise your heart and respiration rates. It’s not just a leisurely stroll. Push yourself to a good brisk pace, long stride and good deep breathing. You should “feel the burn” when you finish. That way it keeps your metabolism up for a while after you’re done and keeps burning calories faster. Okay you might sweat a little. That’s okay, you’ll get the recognition for your efforts that way. Of course the slimming effects will show up later.
TODAY: DON’T FORGET TO DRINK YOUR 8 GLASSES OF WATER. HAVE A BIG GLASS BEFORE EACH WALK. IT MAY SPEED UP THE END OF YOUR WALK IF YOU NEED TO GO TO THE BATHROOM.
Even 10 minute exercises need to be enjoyable to keep you on track. You should find that walking time is a great time to let your brain churn and come up with ideas. That happens to me when I walk alone, ride my bike or even while mowing the lawn. But if you can’t seem to get motivated to start just add walking to your routine chores. Do you need to go down to the market? Walk instead of hopping in the car.
If the exercise bike or stepper seem boring. Do something else when you exercise. Some people say they can read when they are doing it. I never could, but I did move it to in front of the TV. You’ll find that the time really moves along faster. You can even use the commercial breaks as a convenient timer. Start during one set of commercials and finish during the next. Or maybe decide to keep going.
The main thing is to think of those 10 minutes as being YOUR time. It’s also paying you back with more time living a healthy life.
TODAY: DECIDE ON SOME FUN WAYS TO EXERCISE.
If you don’t get time to do a full workout, don’t give up. You only need 30 minutes a day, and it doesn’t have to all be at once. It only takes a mere 10 minutes at a time. Start with 10 when you wake up. 10 at lunch. And the last 10 in the evening, while watching TV is fine, or take a walk after dinner with your spouse or ride your bike with the kids. You may even have a basketball hoop at your house that has been ignored for a while. Take a few shots and dribble away some calories.
You get the idea. Now get motivated for a few minutes.
TODAY: GET 30 MINUTES OF EXERCISE.
I know I nag about walking a lot. It’s really the easiest beneficial exercise to do and it takes no special equipment. But you do need to do other exercises as well. If you think about it you probably have other exercise options available as well. Maybe an exercise bike in the basement or garage. Or maybe someone you know has a rider or exercise machine they bought from one of those infomercials. If you have something like that available… USE IT.
For example:
- Do one 10 minutes session on a stationary bike for a good cardiovascular workout.
- Then do one of your ten minute sessions doing sit-ups and push-ups. (Even if you have to cheat some on them) leg lifts, crunches and some stretches. They will all add to your strength and flexibility.
- You don’t need to have a set of dumbbells to lift weights. Fill a couple of milk jugs with water and I bet you have one of those grip springs somewhere too. Do different things to different muscle groups. After a few 10 minute sessions, you’ll feel some muscles you weren’t aware of before and actually start feel healthier too.
TODAY: DO SOME DIFFERENT EXERCISES
Did you know that you don’t have to do all of your daily exercise at once? That’s right. It turns out that you get much of the same long term benefit by exercising in 10 minute chunks as doing it in one swoop. It only takes 30 minutes a day to start, and you can do it 10 minutes at a time. Do these 10 minutes like a regular workout with a couple of minutes of warm up stretches, then at least 7 minutes of exercise at a medium or high intensity and minute of slower cool down.
Begin your day with 10 minutes before breakfast. Ten at lunch and the last 10 in the evening. Take a power walk after dinner and take one of the family members with you. It will help get those in your support system involved. They may even want to partner with you during the day. You’ll feel better and even sleep better in just a short time. You may also find you want to add some more time as well.
TODAY: TRY A BRISK WALK IN THREE TEN MINUTE SESSIONS.
Daily Nag, Exercise | Diet Nag | 
January 26, 2011 6:17 am | 
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