Patty's Great Idea

One of this blog's most faithful readers has written to me about a fresh idea she has come up with to boost her walking time.  She game me permission to reprint her idea here.  So, here it is in her own words:


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I started something new on my walking yesterday. Thought I would share with you.

Since it is too hot and humid outside to walk, I set a timer for 40 minutes.

Then every once in a while I get up and start the timer, and walk for about 10 min. shut the timer off, and forget about it until later, when I do it again...yesterday I got in 30 min. I'm thinking 1 1/2 miles, don't you think so?

anyway, seems like a good idea for me...not to have to do it all at once, and being able to do it inside. I'm sure that it is not as good as doing it all at once, but for right now, I just can't do it all at once. 

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I am thrilled to read Patty's great idea - especially because her thinking (and doing) coincide perfectly with the latest research in exercise physiology.  I can't find the article where I read the information but it was a very reliable source and I'll give you the highlights here.  Then you'll understand why Patty's idea is genius!

150 minutes a week is the recommended duration for the maximum health benefits which are mostly aerobic.  This sort of exercise increases heart health, boosts oxygen supply to the brain, tones muscles, speeds up metabolism, and leads to overall feelings of wellbeing, thwarting depression, the blahs, and lapses in motivation.  But - and here's the kicker that just doesn't seem like it should be - it doesn't matter how you accumulate your 150 minutes each week.  You can do it in equal periods of about 20 minutes a day.  You can do it in only three days a week if you get in just under an hour each day.  OR, YOU CAN do it all on the weekend if you put in 75 minutes each Saturday and Sunday.  

Really!  This seems counterintuitive to me - and would not help with my sleep problems as a daily walk does.  It surely seems like we would all benefit by parsing out our aerobic activities (in this case walking) in daily or four times weekly sessions.  But, like Patty has discovered (and put into action), much smaller sessions are as beneficial as 20-30 minute sessions.  

So, now, no excuses, right?  If Patty can figure out a way to fit in her daily dose of feel-good exercise even in the boiling heat we've had this summer, you can too!  Patty's a smart lady.  And, she has worked her way to health, steadily increasing her walking sessions, and writing to me about the positive benefits she has experienced because of it.  Check out that Guarantee below.  It's still valid.

*************************** Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude. You can trust the information you find here. It's from a dedicated walker. Trust me and your life will get better! I promise.