Maria Godoy, an NPR science correspondent, shares insights on creating a sustainable exercise habit. She emphasizes that you don't need to be extreme to reap health benefits. Common myths about exercise are debunked, promoting enjoyable, incremental movement instead. Godoy discusses practical strategies for rebuilding fitness routines after the holidays, highlighting the importance of small activities like walking. With a focus on self-empowerment, she encourages listeners to appreciate the immediate joys of physical activity rather than fixating on long-term goals.
Exercise doesn't have to be intense or time-consuming; all movement counts and anything is better than nothing.
When initiating an exercise program, start small and gradually increase intensity; short bouts of exercise have value and can help build fitness.
Deep dives
Reframing Exercise
Exercise doesn't have to be intense or time-consuming. Research shows that all movement counts, and anything is better than nothing. Walking is a valid form of exercise, despite common misconceptions. Sweating, exercising for 30 minutes straight, and feeling the burn are not necessary for health benefits. Moderate-intensity activities, such as climbing stairs or vacuuming, can contribute to overall fitness. The goal is to accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week to prevent diseases and improve health.
Start Small, Build Up
When initiating an exercise program, it's important to start small and gradually increase intensity and duration. Short bouts of exercise have value and can help build fitness. Climbing a ladder serves as a metaphor for beginning an exercise routine. This could involve standing up and sitting down repeatedly, taking short walks, or doing three 10-minute sessions of physical activity. Studies show that even these shorter bursts of exercise provide heart health benefits and prevent weight gain.
Focus on Immediate Benefits
Motivation to exercise is more effective when focusing on the immediate rewards it provides, rather than long-term goals like weight loss. Exercise generates energy, boosts mood, enhances focus and creativity, and elicits many positive effects on overall well-being. Losing weight through exercise alone can be challenging and time-consuming compared to managing calorie intake. By feeling better and reaping the immediate benefits of exercise, individuals are more likely to continue and incorporate it into their daily lives.
You don't have to be a marathoner or a gym rat to get meaningful health benefits from exercise. And that sort of "go big or go home" mentality can actually be a block to getting movement. This episode, we bust common misconceptions about exercise so you can get moving in a way that feels good to you. This episode originally published December 15, 2018.