Exercise a Little…
For a Lot of Results
Don’t have time to go to the gym or spend an hour working out every morning? It turns out that short bursts of activity—popularly called “exercise snacks”—throughout the day are as effective as traditional, longer workouts. Researchers compared people who rode stationary bicycles for a daily 10-minute intense session to those who rode for one intense minute every few hours. After six weeks, the two group’s fitness gains were nearly identical. Besides improving overall wellbeing and reducing health risks, exercise snacks also:
- Raise endurance
- Improve muscle tone
- Boost energy
- Increase productivity
- Reduce blood sugar
- Improve cardiovascular health
These short bursts of activity should be vigorous enough to increase your heart rate so that you aren’t able to say more than a few words without pausing for a breath. Each session should last a minute or two, and happen often, preferably every hour. Try setting a reminder or doing the activity every time you get something to eat or drink. Here are some examples:
- Hustle up and down three flights of stairs.
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Jog in place (or use a mini trampoline).
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Alternate jumping jacks and burpees.
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Take a brisk walk or jog around the block.
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Get on the elliptical, stationary bike or rowing machine.
Up Your Game with HealthFitness
HealthFitness is a great fitness resource that is free to you.
- Check out the “How to Squeeze in Fitness” and “Strength Training” videos.
- Or try the “Movement Matters” or “Strength Matters” digital programs, which let you go at your own pace with expert coach support via messaging.
- You can also work one-on-one with a Health Coach if you like.
HealthFitness gives you a variety of tools to develop healthy habits, from eating well, sleeping better, and reducing stress to exercising more. Log in today at us.mywell.site/hfit/AlaskaElectrical or call (877) 290-9992.
This benefit is available to participants and dependents 18 years and older. Medicare Prime Retirees are not eligible.
Regular, short bursts of intense activity enable you to burn calories without burning out—and result in muscle gain and fat loss.
Source: St. Luke’s Health