Where will you find the time? It is a familiar refrain for many women, and one doctor hears all the time. You don’t have to do 30 minutes in one shot if you don’t have the time. You can do 10 minutes at a time three times a day and still get a cardio workout.
One small study at Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield found that three 10-minute bursts of exercise can be just as effective as one 30-minute session. And it doesn’t mean three clothing changes and showers.
Ten minutes could mean a brisk walk over your lunch hour and another after dinner. It could be a walk up or down 10 flights of stairs if you live or work in a high-rise, or skipping rope while watching television.
The point is, doing anything for any amount of time is better than doing nothing.
Cardio Rehab Is the Place to Be
If you have had a heart attack, it is not a good idea to just go walking off on your own. It is imperative that your doctor be your exercise guide.
Women can benefit from a cardio rehabilitation program on many levels according to the cardiologist. Unfortunately, it is grossly under utilized by women. Statistics show that women are 55 percent less likely than men to be referred to cardio rehab.
Many who are referred are more reluctant to participate or drop out. Often, this is due to the pressure a woman feels, whether real or not, that she is needed at home in order for her family’s life to return to normal.
Cardio rehab is an overall lifestyle program that offers prescriptive and monitored exercise tailored to the individual, education programs, and a supportive environment. It can also save your life, especially when you consider that hospital stays following a heart attack are shorter than they used to be. Research shows that rehab significantly reduces the risk of premature death or having a second heart attack.
If you have a heart attack and are not offered cardio rehab, ask for it. Then stick with it.
