Fit as Fido

Log Those 10-minute Walks For Metabolic Fitness

06.02.2010 // Fit As Fido // Dawn A. Marcus, M.D. // 1 Comment

At Fit As Fido, we have been consistently touting the suggestion to exercise for at least 10 minutes at a time, so you log a total of about 150 minutes of aerobic exercise each week. And to help you accomplish this, you can download a free Fit As Fido exercise log.

Researchers at Harvard and MIT have again proven the wisdom of this Fit As Fido advice. Their latest research shows that 10 minutes of exercise results in improvements in your body’s metabolism that last for at least an hour after exercising.

Metabolism describes how your body makes, uses, and stores energy. So what happens to the food that you eat — does you body use it efficiently or do you store too much energy as unwanted fat? You’ve probably been hearing a lot about metabolic syndrome. Patients with metabolic syndrome have abnormalities in their blood levels of fats, cholesterol, and glucose. They typically have high blood pressure and are overweight. Metabolic syndrome increases your risk for developing diabetes and heart disease. Being inactive and overweight are major risk factors for developing metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome affects about one in every 3 adults. And according to a recent report in the journal Clinical Geriatric Medicine, up to 40 percent of seniors have metabolic syndrome. And what’s the most important way to both prevent and treat metabolic syndrome? Exercising and losing weight — in other words, getting Fit As Fido!

So take a lesson from the professors at Harvard and MIT AND from Fido — start scheduling in those 10-minute dog walks at least a couple times each day. You’ll feel great during your walk and the benefits to your metabolic system will linger long after you’re back at your computer!