New Exercise Goal: Women Need 60 Minutes A Day!

Hi Fit Friends,

A new study was recently released and many of you have caterwauled, complained, and cried to me. I'm going to try to help you understand the results of the study.

The study shows women need 60 minutes of moderate exercise a day to prevent weight gain as they age if they consume a normal diet.

The findings suggest women need more exercise than the current federal guidelines of 150 minutes a week, or 30 minutes five days a week, of moderate-to-intense activity.

"I don't want people to throw up their hands and say 'I can't do it,' " said I. Min Lee, the study's lead researcher and a doctor and associate professor at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

Women at a normal weight who consume a normal diet can beat middle-age weight gain by working out intensely for 30 minutes a day, whether by running, cycling, swimming laps or working out at a gym. Weight gain can also be prevented with 60 minutes of moderate activity, such as walking, a leisurely bike ride or playing catch.

So let's put this into perspective, we have options. If weight gain is our only consideration (not cardiovascular health), we can WALK MORE to ward off those lbs. Get our 10,000 steps a day! We don't have to break a sweat (unless we want to strengthen our hearts). We can park further away, take the stairs, bring the groceries in one bag at a time, etc.

Or we can cut some calories. Weight loss isn't all about exercise. Actually, it's mainly about food! This study showed women gained 5.7 lbs in 13 years. That's an increase of 5 calories a day! Can you cut 5 calories a day? Of course you can!

The other interesting part of the study was these women ate a "normal" diet. What is that? Normal in America is white bread, red meat, and potatoes. Stick to the 5-9servings of veggies and fruit a day. You'll be healthier and keep the pounds off. Don't be normal!

Let's not let one study condemn us to a life of weight gain or a life of begrudgingly exercising. Let's pick our options.

Eat Intentionally,

Cindy