2 posts tagged “exercise”

According the the latest U.S. Department of Health guidelines, we adults should aim for 2 1/2 hours of exercise per week. Or basically 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week because Americans were just exercising too much!

Ok, ok, I jest.

It seems the guidelines from a few years ago have been scaled back by about half.  In 2002, the guidelines were one full hour of exercise per day for adults to maintain health and weight. 

I have to both agree and disagree with both guidelines, old and new. 

With approximately 25% of the U.S. adult population medically obese there is a need for all of us to get off our butts and sweat a little (or a lot) on a regular basis.  Some exercise is way better than none even if it's only 30 minutes one or two times a week.  It really should be three times a week, but if you are not someone who exercises regularly you gotta start somewhere. 

I'm not advocating doing less exercise, but again, some is better than none.  For busy people, thirty minutes of physical activity 5 days a week is very doable.  I will advise that in addition to the 30 minute minimum you should add a 5 minute cool down and 3-5 minutes of stretching. 

Remember that the 2 1/2 hour recommendation is the bare minimum required to improve health.  If you need to lose weight (body fat) you need 30 minutes to 1 hour of aerobic exercise 3-5 days a week.  Make sure you are also getting 20 minutes of resistance training at least 2X per week as well.

If you workout daily I know I don't need to remind you to take at least one day a week off from exercise to allow your body to fully recover.  

Just get moving, or as Nike advocates....JUST DO IT!

Sabrina Peterson

Personal Trainer and Weight Loss Coach, Corrective Exercise Specialist