Are you getting enough exercise?

Taking care of your physical and mental health is essential as you pursue your health care degree at Concorde. One of the best things you can do to take care of your health is to make sure you spend enough time exercising.

Unfortunately, busy Americans often fail to get the exercise they need. In fact, only half of adults are getting enough exercise, and lack of exercise is one of the main causes of chronic diseases.

Whether you're already working out or you need to get started, you might be wondering how much exercise you need to meet your goals. Of course, you should always consult your doctor before starting any sort of exercise plan.

But before you do, here's a closer look at government recommendations, the benefits of short periods of exercise, and other helpful information to help you decide how much you should be exercising.

Government Guidelines for Exercise

Currently, the government recommends that adults engage in moderate aerobic exercise for 150 minutes each week or vigorous aerobic exercise for 75 minutes each week.

It's also recommended that you exercise for a minimum of 10 minutes at a time for the best results. Similarly, exercise should be spread throughout the entire week.

It's important to note that these guidelines are specifically for those who want to maintain good health. This amount of exercise may not be enough for people who want to lose significant amounts of weight.

Even Short Bouts of Exercise is Beneficial

Many busy students think they don't have time to exercise, and they miss out on the health benefits exercise has to offer.

Lack of time is a huge obstacle to fitness, but some studies show that investing a few minutes exercising here and there can offer excellent health benefits. For example, taking short walks after eating dinner can be even more effective than long sessions of exercise and lower triglyceride and fat levels after a big meal.

Short workout sessions can help sedentary adults achieve fitness goals very similar to the goals achieved by people who work out for at least 30 minutes at a time. Mini workouts can also help to whittle away the waist while lowering blood pressure.

Increasing Health and Weight Loss Benefits

If you want to increase your health and weight loss benefits, consider going beyond the general government recommendations for weight loss.

According to the Mayo Clinic, getting 300 minutes a week of exercise can result in more health benefits, increasing weight loss if you're working to lose a few pounds. Just make sure that you're getting a combination of aerobic exercise and strength training.

It's important to make sure you're getting at least the government recommended amount of exercise each week. But, is that amount of exercise enough for you?

That depends on your goals. Exercising for 150 minutes weekly is a great way to enjoy good health and maintain a healthy weight. However, if you want to lose weight or amp up those health benefits, you might need to exercise even more for the results you want.