I love to run and can usually find time to fit it in, however this article will really help when I try to fit in the strength training and flexibility stuff that I avoid, but NEED to do... Thanks
I totally agree. This is how I break up any training ruts i find myself in. taking small steps and getting the momentum going is key.
RUNESHADOW
3/29/2011 1:03:38 PM
Thymewarrior, I am with you! I have a yoga routine and am relatively flexible despite being short and stocky, but I also have a bad knee and sciatica, so I do stretches with one foot on the edge of the kitchen counter. I also wash my hair in the kitchen sink, and when I bend to towel off my hair, I make sure to bend at the hips, 90-degree angle.
I feel bad because I can no longer walk decent distances straight; I used to walk 4 miles home from a volunteer gig 3x weekly. This article eases my guilt: if I can only walk for 10 minutes at a time, so be it; I walk as briskly as I can even using a cane. I am gong for a knee treatment today and will be restricted for 48 hours, but I can still do some of my dumbbell routines and stretch other body parts without bothering my knee so I can allow the treatment to take effect properly.
Personally, I've seen great results in inches in just 3 minutes a day. I do a wall sit for 90 seconds, and I do a plank position for 90 seconds. My muscles are stronger, and I've lost inches. The book "90 second fitness solution" by Pete Cerqua is worth looking at.
This article is a reminder to get rid of my all-or-nothing thinking. When I don't have "enough time" to do a full 30-minute workout, I tend to not do anything. It's so encouraging to know that by taking advantage of 10 minutes here and there, I can take care of my health. For example, it takes me just 10 minutes to walk to work. :-)
Great article - but just one small criticism - I'm not keen on the idea of a power walk after dinner. Best to to the power walk before dinner, and thoroughly digest after dinner sitting still.
If you power walk on a full stomach, you won't digest properly, as your blood is diverted from your stomach (where it's needed for digestion) to your legs for walking.
BEACHWOODKAREN
6/4/2010 12:34:28 PM
I started an in-home walking DVD program doing 1 mile in 15 minutes. I wasn't very consistent. Now I do the "walking moves" as I watch my favorite TV show instead of sitting on the sofa. I usually end up walking longer than 10-15 minutes, just because I'm interested in my show. I'm 70 so my pounds are coming off slowly, but I'm determined to keep it up for my health and appearance.
SUZANNAMILLIGAN
6/1/2010 11:00:43 AM
I will take what I can get! Work and home stress are motivational murderers! And I am ready to strike back! I have to do it for me! Thanks for this little bit of confidence!! Srm
I totally agree with this article. I try to go for a 10 minute walk on my lunch break. My desk is only about twelve feet from the photocopier, so I used to print everything up and collect it all at once. Now, I stand up and walk to it every time I need to print anything. Also, rather than phoning my coworkers upstairs, I walk up to talk to them. It's just little things but they do add up and help me to stay energized throughout the day.
I do "kitchen exercises". I use the edge of the counter to do push ups, reverse push ups and for balance to do squats and toe lifts. Two or three times a day does make a difference. I also have stairs which just naturally improves your strength and cardio fitness if you put a little bounce in your step and take a few extra trips.
I know exercisers help for I was one who just got to where sitting was all I could thing of when I got up in the morning...now I even get as much as 8 hours sleep from not sleeping much I'd be up for two full days at a time then I could fall asleep I think that it was depression I don't know but now I want to go out and go go go
EVITA7
3/31/2010 12:26:22 PM
Well, I can see that if you are starting from a minimal fitness level, those 10 minute will do a world of good. Especially weight training and stretching which don't require a warm-up. But I don't think that cardio fitness is possible with such short workouts, especially if you are past the beginner stage.
