Advertisement
Many of us don't have a lot of spare time. Many more of us don't think we have much spare time. Whether or not this is true in one respect really doesn't matter, because these folks are not getting any more exercise in than the folks who truly are strapped for time. Then there are others who don't have a problem time-wise. Their weakness is that they don't want to exercise.
Unfortunately, lack of exercise is not good for the body or the soul and neither genuine nor fake excuses are going to change this. What are these exercise-challenged people to do?
For each of these groups, there is an answer. It is only for those who are not faint of heart and who are willing to carve out a few minutes a day.
Don't have (or don't want to spend) a half an hour a day getting a workout? Well, how about 10 minutes a day? It's not so much time that it messes up your day, but it is indeed enough time to make a dent in your couch potato and to increase the level of your general health.
Ten minutes can get you a walk on a treadmill or around the block. It can be long enough to take a flight of stairs or two, or to go for a quick swim. You can bike to the store or around the neighborhood for a 10 minute workout. Maybe you'd like to throw a basketball or a frisbee.
The U.K.'s National Health Service encourages 10 minute workouts. If the idea of conventional workouts like cardio, weights, etc. makes you tired, there are other possibilities you might entertain.
Working out sound too much like work? Think instead in terms of play. Play with your kids, biking together, jumping on a trampoline. Or maybe you'd like to do some skipping. It doesn't have to be vigorous, no-nonsense skipping as done in a gym. Double-dutch was fun when you were a kid, and swimming the ropes with your kids could be nostalgic, and a great bonding experience -- or an experience for your kids involving embarrassment and a brand new look at mom like they've never seen her before. Always worth surprising the kids.
Fitday.com reported that if you will exercise for just 10 minutes a day, your mood and immune system will be enhanced and you will burn calories that will help to maintain (or attain) a healthy weight. Your cardiovascular system will thank you for the increased blood flow and strengthened heart. Your lungs and lymph system will clear out more toxins, just from 10 minutes a day. So take hold of your 10 minutes a day and decide where and how you want to spend it. You'll be glad you did.
Jody Smith is a freelance writer for EmpowHER.com.
Sources:
The Thought behind the 10 Minute Workout
Ten-minute workouts
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/loseweight/Pages/Tenminuteworkouts.aspx
Related Links:
Should You Stretch Before a Workout?
http://www.empowher.com/fitness/content/should-you-stretch-workout
Zumba: A Great Workout
http://www.empowher.com/fitness/content/zumba-great-workout
Dependable Fat Burners
http://www.empowher.com/weight-loss/content/dependable-fat-burners
