Originally published January 25 2005
Government says 30 - 90 minutes of exercise daily should be the norm; nation of critics says 'who has time for that?'
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Many Americans immediately dismissed as absolutely unrealistic the federal government's recent recommendations that everyone exercise 30 - 90 minutes per day. But doctors say you should stop what you're doing and take the advice seriously. Besides, you only think you don't have time. Experts say a great place to find the time for exercise is in that 15-20 hours each week when the typical American is watching television.
Early morning workouts are one way to add exercise to your day.
New guidelines recommend 30 to 90 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity.
There are about 40 hours a week of free time in this country," says John Robinson, a professor of sociology at the University of Maryland and co-author of Time for Life:The Surprising Way Americans Use Their Time.
JoAnn Manson, chief of preventive medicine at Harvard's Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and a leading researcher on the benefits of physical activity, says: "I'm convinced from the research that a sedentary lifestyle kills you, and moderate activity like walking can be lifesaving.
Revised Dietary Guidelines for Americans from the Health and Human Services and Agriculture departments, aimed at curbing the nation's growing weight problem, recommend adults do about 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity most days to prevent weight gain and 60 to 90 minutes of moderate daily activity for those trying to maintain weight loss.
They call for at least 30 minutes most days to reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and other diseases.
Those who have lost a significant amount of weight and are trying to keep off the extra pounds might need as much as 90 minutes.
Time-use experts suggest a few reasons: Some people are retiring earlier, some are working less, and some spend less time on housework.
The higher goal is based, in part, on findings from the National Weight Control Registry, about 5,000 people who lost an average of 73 pounds and kept off at least 30 pounds for more than six years.
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