Every Minute of Movement Counts!

A new study suggests something encouraging for busy people: Every minute of movement counts toward the 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity we’re all supposed to be getting each week. University of Utah researchers found that each minute spent engaging in some kind of moderate to vigorous physical activity was associated with lower body mass index (BMI) and lower weight. This new paper, published recently in the American Journal of Health Promotion, suggests that reaching those two and a half hours minute by minute is just fine. The analysis showed that each extra daily minute of higher intensity exercise lowered the chances of being obese by 5% for the women and 2% for the men.

“The good news is that each of us can do a minute at a time and every minute counts,” says Michael Staufacker, Director of Health Management at Emory University. "I think it’s easier for people to embrace and act on this message. Otherwise, if they don’t have a big period of time they might be discouraged and might not do anything at all.”

Time is precious for all of us. Here are a few ideas to add more movement throughout your day:

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

• Walk to your meeting across campus rather than drive.

• Park further away from your building to add more steps.

• Don’t stand, pace if you’re waiting for a bus.

• Get off the bus a stop or two earlier, and walk.

•  When on the telephone, pace instead of standing or sitting.

Opportunities abound here at Emory for all employees to move more:  http://www.fsap.emory.edu/health/index.html
Please take a minute (or more!) to move and encourage others to join you.