AT LEAST WALK 20 MINUTES A DAY, BUT...

qtful22
qtful22 Posts: 10
edited September 20 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi there,

I was hoping some one could tell me the straight out facts/truth about this. Ok, so I started taking the train to work not only to save my sanity from the horrendous commute, but because it forces me to walk to and from the train station to my office. My question is this:

"They" say it's good exercise to walk 20 min a day...I speed walk from the train station to my office which is 10 minutes and then do the same going back for a total of 20 min....is this the same premise of walking for 20 min straight or am I kidding myself that it is the same since it all totals 20 minutes in the end?

Help!

Replies

  • Rehu18
    Rehu18 Posts: 4
    All exercise you do adds up, so if you walk for 10 mins in the morning and 10 mins in the afternoon, it equals 20 mins overall. It doesn't make any difference if you do it all in one go, or split it up throughout the day.
  • Mom2Emery_Liam
    Mom2Emery_Liam Posts: 149
    I'm glad you posted this- I was wondering the same thing! I can only do cardio for 10-15 mins at a time but break it up over the day to get in ~30 mins. Good to know it all adds up regardless of how much is done at one time!
  • lulabellewoowoo
    lulabellewoowoo Posts: 3,125 Member
    Cardio, even in limited portions, helps to relieve stress, which can contribute to weight loss and a healthier body, as stress can hike up your insulin and hold onto fat. So the fact that you are taking these positive "steps" is awesome. Keep it up. It all makes a difference in a small way.
  • barbiecat
    barbiecat Posts: 17,209 Member
    :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: If you're moving, you're losing.........it's all good :bigsmile: :bigsmile:
  • odessa_raven
    odessa_raven Posts: 31
    What is generally said these days is that 10 minutes at a time is the minimum to get any real benefit. But I agree that any moving is good!
  • waguchan
    waguchan Posts: 450 Member
    My dietitian/weight loss specialist registered nurse told me that it is good to break it up like that in small 10-15 minutes bouts of exercises 2 or 3 times a day because it helps to boost your metabolism through out the day.
  • questionablemethods
    questionablemethods Posts: 2,174 Member
    Congrats on taking the train! Saves your sanity, helps the environment and gets in a little more physical activity. I have lived without a car for 4.5 years now and, while it hasn't totally helped me keep my weight off, I really think that it does make me a lot more active. I have a pretty sedentary job, but I walk 30 minutes each way to and from work plus all the walking I do to the grocery store, bus stops, etc. Every little bit counts.

    Personally, I haven't found that it has been enough for my only form of exercise, but that really depends upon the fitness level you are starting with.
  • brzynga
    brzynga Posts: 7 Member
    I am glad to hear that 15 min can matter because due to a heart condition that is about all I can do at a time! So maybe I will try in the am and pm.?
  • qtful22
    qtful22 Posts: 10
    Wow! Thanks everyone! Glad to see that I am doing something that will contribute to this overall battle of the bulge! I have also noticed that since I started taking the train, I am more inclined to want to work out when I get home! Before, I was so exhausted from the drive, it was all I could do to change and crawl onto the couch or bed! I live in LA and have to have a car....but I applaud the poster who walks everywhere! AWESOME!

    Thanks again!
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