December 24, 2007

SHORT vs LONG If you don't have time for long workouts, try 10-minute sessions. One study found that nine weekly 10-minute sessions offer the same cardiovascular benefits as three weekly 30-minute sessions. That is good news for beginning exercisers, who may find it easier to stick to shorter, more manageable workouts. Turn your coffee break into an exercise break. Try 10 minutes of brisk walking before work, 10 minutes of stair-climbing or a quick run at noon and 10 minutes of rope jumping, cycling or walking again in the evening. But don't forget the weight training. You can start by doing one machine or exercise every other day and add something to the workout each week. In no time you will be doing (and enjoying) your own personal exercise routine that you have created for yourself. Remember, use it or lose it!

MIND OVER MATTER? Engaging in regular exercise may be as good for the aging mind as it is for the aging body. A new study of exercise and mental health in elderly patients finds that even brief regular activities can significantly lower the risk of dementia. Published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the study was conducted at the Group Health Cooperative Center in Seattle among a group of more than 1,700 people age 65 and older. At the conclusion of the six-year study period, researchers found that those who had exercised at least three times a week, 15 minutes per day, had a 40% lower rate of dementia than those patients who remained sedentary. The study's authors suggested that exercise preserves brain function by boosting blood flow to the regions of the brain responsible for memory. (LifeScript)

HAPPY and HEALTHY HOLIDAYS!

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