Walking in Short Increments

ash_shell
ash_shell Posts: 6 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have a desk job and have been with my company for almost seven years, which of course, has contributed to me being a whale. I used to be able to get to the gym six days per week easily, but right now it isn't a possibility at the moment (fiancé's schedule - we have a four year old). Anyway, my office building has a solarium and I have decided to do three laps (0.4 mile) every hour. It takes about five minutes, which is the perfect amount of time for me to slip out of my office, but it isn't until the last part of the third lap that I'm feeling my heart rate rise and start feeling a burn. Obviously, some exercise is better than none, but am I doing myself any favors by stopping as soon as my heart rate rises?

Replies

  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    As far as burning calories goes........anything is better than nothing, if you walk 10 miles broken up into 10x 1 mile walks it's still 10 miles and you've moved the same amount of mass the same distance hence the energy expenditure will be comparable.

    In terms of improved aerobic base/cardiovascular fitness....not so much The benefit from this accrues from getting your heart rate up and keeping it up for a period of time.
  • jennie_jean
    jennie_jean Posts: 12 Member
    I'm in the same boat as you are. I read somewhere that if you walk/jog/run for just 10 minutes a couple of times a day it is beneficial. While I'm at work I've been walking for 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the afternoon (outside, around my building). I've lost 6 pounds doing this and watching my carb intake (I'm finally off sugar!!!) I can definitely see/feel a difference in my body shape. Anything is better than nothing so I say go for it, it can only help!
  • angela233Z
    angela233Z Posts: 312 Member
    I think it will be a help. I have a desk job also and started doing that a few months ago. It may not burn a ton of calories, but getting up and moving, clears my brain and makes me feel better. If you have stairs and can do a flight of stairs also, that would be even better.

    Now I go for a 15-20 minute walk outside with friends. That is even better :-)

    good luck
  • ash_shell
    ash_shell Posts: 6 Member
    We don't have stairs, unfortunately. That would be a great burn! According to the mapmywalk app, I burned 149 calories today and my body definitely feels better than it usually does when I sit in my chair all day. I plan on walking in the evenings with my family as well! Hopefully I can get back to the gym soon.
  • ash_shell
    ash_shell Posts: 6 Member
    That's what I was thinking.
  • AlyssaJoJo
    AlyssaJoJo Posts: 449 Member
    I used to have a peddler under my desk when I worked in office. It didn't really get my HR up but it did help me keep moving for good periods of time, which was better than not moving at all.
  • jennifer_a00
    jennifer_a00 Posts: 186 Member
    I walk to my kids school three times a day, about 20 minutes round trip each time to drop off and pick up kids. I have noticed that I feel much better physically and emotionally on the days that I do this. However it doesn't feel the same as a longer walk or workout. But there IS a difference, because on weekends or holidays, or if I drive them, I usually notice the difference...
  • ash_shell
    ash_shell Posts: 6 Member
    I thought about getting one of those! I found some cheaper peddlers ($20-$30). Did you have an inexpensive one? I'm wonder if it's worth it to splurge or if the cheap ones will do the trick.
  • Markdjones83
    Markdjones83 Posts: 852 Member
    I have a very busy schedule as well, but you can check out any DVD type fitness program that is 30 minutes. Maybe get up a little earlier or after kids get to bed.

    There are tons out there, I am currently doing T25, but there is p90x3, free ones on youtube, Jillian Michaels Body revolution I head is good.

    Check one out. I started about 5 weeks ago and I feel much better.

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