News

With May being National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, it seems as though discussing the topic is obligatory. Getting an adequate amount of exercise is easier than most think. It can be squeezed into our day to day activities so we don’t have to squeeze into our jeans. According to the CDC, only 49.2% of adults aged 18 years and older met the Physical Activity Guidelines for aerobic physical activity. Physical activity can be as simple or as complicated as we would like to make it. For overall cardiorespiratory health, the American Heart Association recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. That is just 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week. We have 10,080 minutes each and every week. If you have a tight schedule or are new to exercising, there are some easy and effective ways to reach the recommended 150 minutes of aerobic exercise. Let’s discuss a few.

Walk while you talk. While talking on the phone to your Great Aunt Marg or a friend, walk around the house or, better yet, outside! The longer you talk to them, the more mindless exercise you are doing.

Take the stairs. This one is self-explanatory. How often do you take the elevator to the third floor? It takes longer to wait for a ride up than it does to take the stairs. The added exercise is a bonus!

Tap your feet while you sit at your desk or at a table. This can help burn calories and raise your heart rate.

Do a little dance. While styling your hair or walking to and from the kitchen or bathroom, throw in a dance step or fifteen.

Although the recommendation is to get 30 minutes each day for 5 days each week, anything is better than nothing.

Abby Knoblock
Community Health Educator
Scheurer Hospital