Websites and magazines that deal
with health frequently admonish their readers that they need to exercise a
certain amount every day. Depending on
what study came out most recently, they will pronounce any amount of cardio
under 30, or 40, or 60 minutes to be "not enough to do any good."
What they really mean is: "not
enough to help you lose weight."
And they're probably right. But
that doesn't mean that a short workout isn't worth your time. There's more to health than weight.
I'm speaking from personal
experience here (hey, it's a blog!), but a short workout, even one that is
nothing but a warm up and some stretches, is a good habit to get into. Here are four reasons why:
1.
I am moving. This means
increased blood flow to the brain, adrenaline and other endorphins in my
system, and a faster heart rate. So
what if it doesn't last very long? It
still wakes me up, and boosts my energy level for the day.
2.
I am much more mentally alert after exercising.
I can't tell you whether 10 jumping jacks is as good as a cup of coffee
because I've never had a cup of coffee, but I can tell you that exercise is a
good pick-me-up.
3.
It's a kind of bookmark in my day that says: "exercise goes
here." I can make that span of
time gradually or occasionally longer.
That is easier to do when one is in the habit of exercising. I don't know about you, but I'm not going to
go from doing nothing one morning to doing half an hour the next.
4.
A short workout, done regularly, helps me maintain my weight. This is preferable to gaining unwanted
pounds! I think part of the reason for
this isn't so much that I'm burning calories, but that I am in a better mood
and can more easily resist the siren call of sweets.
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