20 Minutes A Day Can Change Your Life

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

19 Feb 2007 11:49 AM

This may sound trite, but it's true. 20 minutes of regular exercise every single day can have a profound effect on your life, your health and your lifestyle. With just 20 minutes a day, you can promote weight loss. With 20 minutes a day, you can decrease how much stress you experience. With 20 minutes a day, you can achieve the goals you set out for yourself.

Changing Your Life

Making a change in your life is about exerting a form of control over your life and your choices. 20 minutes a day is one of those changes that you can make and it's one that most of us - even at our busiest can find 20 minutes for.

So if you are looking for a way to make a difference in your own life, here are some examples of what you can do in 20 minutes:

• You can, comfortably, walk a ½ mile in 20 minutes. Currently, one the days when the weather permits and I walk my kiddo to school, I am walking a ½ mile there taking a five minute break while she waits to go to class and then a ½ mile home. I can do this in under 30 minutes, though I've never timed it totally - that's 1 mile in the morning and another mile in the afternoon - both miles fit into my schedule and for 1 mile (with the kids) I am walking at a slower, more lifestyle pace while the 1 mile (without the kids) is done at a brisk, fitness walking pace designed to get my heart rate up
• You can run a mile in 20 minutes and while I'm not a huge fan of running, you can do a ½ mile in about 10 minutes with the return trip taking 10 minutes
• You can run or walk on a treadmill in 20 minutes
• You can do light calisthenics including jumping jacks, deep knee bends, sit ups and push ups in less than 20 minutes
• You can go for a walk around the building or go up and down the stairs rather than taking the elevator in under 20 minutes
• You can walk the dog in 20 minutes
• You can complete one circuit workout toning upper, core and lower body at your local gym in 20 minutes
• You can perform 2/3s of the Curves for Women recommended circuit in 20 minutes

20 minutes is a coffee break for some people. For others it's the time it takes to prepare a simple meal and for at least three people I know, it's how long they shower every morning. You can do a lot in 20 minutes.

What can you do in 20 minutes?

Related Articles:

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Friday Fitness: The Psychological Benefits of Exercise

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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Lisa P (24013) 19 Feb 2007 08:20 PM

So true! I've been on the Body-for-Life program for just over a week now and the workouts in that program are quick! I finish my lifting in 30-40 minutes and every other day, I do 20 minutes of high intensity aerobic training. I've lost 9 pounds and 6 inches in the first week! You can make big changes with just a little bit of time!!