Exercise: “Some Minutes Are Better Than No Minutes”

October 14, 2008 by Lorraine Cupido

Lorraine Cupido at Muskoka triathlon transition

The other day I had a chat with a young woman who works in our local grocery store.  She works full time and has three children.  She has lost 75 lbs since the winter of 2007 and she looks and feels great which is very obvious.  My acquaintance told me that she has lost enough weight and now really needs to tone her body but she doesn’t have the time.

I asked her if she has 10 minutes in the day to spare.  My philosophy is “10 minutes is better than no minutes”.  I then asked her if she has stairs in her house and if she has a couple of soup cans.  I explained how she could begin to tone her body in a short space of time with very basic equipment.  I informed her that the soup cans could be used to work on her biceps, triceps, back, and shoulder muscles and the stairs could be used to do lunges, stepping and stretches on.  I encouraged her to take her children with her while she goes for short walks and they can ride their bicycles along side of her.  Her face lit up when she realized how she could begin to become more physically active with little time and simple equipment.  Then I mentioned to her that she would likely get hooked on that great feeling that comes from moving her body and doing something good for herself.  That wonderful feeling comes as a result of the release of hormones called endorphins which are often mentioned in connection with the “runner’s high”.  My bet is that her short activity sessions will eventually become important enough that she will search for time for whatever activity she decides to pursue, and at the same time she will be setting a good example for her children.

Remember, “Some minutes are better than no minutes” and once you start making yourself feel good you will be looking for more.