If you’re like most people, the thought of getting up early and going for a run doesn’t sound like all that much fun. Sure, there are a handful of people out there who truly look forward to it each and every day, but most of us would just rather stay in bed. When it comes right down to it, how much exercise does the average person actually need?
At Medics USA, not only are we your go-to primary care providers, but we also strive to offer tips on our blogs to keep you healthy. That’s why in today’s post, we’ll be offering some insight and advice about exercise. Believe it or not, there are some things that even the most exercise-averse people can do. If that sounds like something you’d benefit from learning about, keep reading!
What Does Exercise Look Like?
Although many people think of long runs on the treadmill, lifting heavy weights at the gym, and countless pushups at home when they think of exercise, the truth is that it can actually be a lot more fun than that if you want it to. Generally speaking, for most healthy adults, it is recommended to get between 1 and 3 hours of exercise per week. How much you should actually exercise depends on a number of different factors including your health, the type of exercise, and more.
So what are some of the things you can do to get in a workout without feeling like you had to go to the gym? For starters, find something that you enjoy and do it more often. For example, if you like playing basketball, get a small group together and go shoot hoops a couple of times each week. If you like fly fishing, rather than standing on the bank, make it a point to hike out to a new pond or lake and then wade in. If you enjoy golfing, forego the golf cart in favor of carrying your bag. The point is that no matter what type of activity you like, there are ways you can make it more beneficial to you physically without going too overboard to make it happen.
How Often Should You Exercise?
So let’s get down to it — in terms of minutes per day, how much should you shoot for? Visit with your primary care doctor first to confirm that this will work for you, of course, but on average, it’s a good idea to plan for about 20 minutes to a half hour each day. Will there be days that you miss this target? There certainly will. Should you beat yourself up over it? Absolutely not!
At the end of the day, think of it this way: are you better off ignoring exercise and sitting on the couch, or is it better to do what you can, when you can, and be happy that you’re doing something?
Here’s another thing people don’t think about all that often — a little bit of exercise throughout the day adds up. In other words, just because you’re not getting a half hour in all at once doesn’t mean you can’t exercise for half an hour. If you’d rather split it up, that is great as well! For some, parking at the far end of the parking lot and taking the stairs up to the fifth floor provides 10 minutes of exercise, and that just means they don’t have to workout as long later in the day. Take a few breaks to go for a walk, and then walk back up to the office three or four times a day and you’re pretty much set! It doesn’t get much easier than that!
What Works Best For You?
Of course, as we mentioned above, it’s important to speak with your primary care doctor before making any big changes to your exercise routine. Fortunately, if you’re in need of a new doctor and you’re in D.C., Falls Church, or Ashburn, Medics USA is here for you!
From annual physical exams to urgent care, we’re here to help keep you safe and healthy. Regardless of the reason for your visit, when you choose Medics USA, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands. Book a visit today!