Who Benefits the Most from Exercise?

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

Attention couch potatoes: According to a new study, the people who stand to gain the most from exercise are those who go from doing nothing to doing something.

Just when you thought that one-minute stroll from your car to the front door of the movie theater couldn't possibly aid your health, researchers at the University of South Carolina release a study that says your walk actually is worth something.

Scientists maintain that a one-minute walk is a great way to start an exercise routine. "Start" being the operative word. As long as that minute long stroll is the springboard for subsequent movement, then researchers say it's okay. Meaning next week, you should shoot for two minutes, then three minutes, four, etc. Eventually you'll be up to 30 minutes and the results will be evident.

Don't let the number 30 intimidate you. Researchers say you don't have to get in all of your exercise at one time. Rather, you can spread it out over the course of a day--10 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes at lunch and 10 minutes when you come home. Though, experts suggest that on the weekends you should strive to get in all 30 minutes during the same workout.

Researchers also point out that you can vary your aerobic routine by participating in a number of different activities. For instance, instead of walking or jogging every day, consider biking, swimming, rollerblading or playing tennis. You can also get in those cardio minutes from your daily activities such as "heavy" gardening (defined as continuous digging or hoeing), raking leaves, shoveling snow, mopping floors, vacuuming or aggressively scrubbing windows or countertops. Another easy way to burn calories is to make conscious decisions throughout the day such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking at the far end of the lot and hoofing it for a few minutes before you enter the store.

Bottom line: When it comes to exercise, something is better than nothing.

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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