EXERCISE DURING COMMERCIALS

Your Weight-Loss Solution: Exercise During Commercials
FREE DAILY DIET TIP
By James Beckerman, M.D.
Published February 14, 2011

Don’t touch that remote! Although we’re trained to flip through channels during commercials or fast-forward through our digitally recorded favorite sitcoms, we’re overlooking a great exercise opportunity.

Commercials tend to run in two-minute segments for the average hour-long show. If you use that time to get off your butt, get your heart rate up, move around the house, and maybe even sweat, you’ll be putting it to much better use than absorbing the details of the ShamWow.

Can two-minute intervals really help you lose weight?

Definitely! It turns out you can burn 20 calories in two minutes pretty easily if you get intense about it. Here’s what you can burn during a commercial break:

Two minutes of sit-ups -- 20 calories
Two minutes of push-ups -- 20 calories
Two minutes of step-ups -- 20 calories
Two minutes of fast stairs -- 20 calories
Two minutes of jumping rope -- 20 calories
Two minutes of shadow boxing -- 20 calories
Two minutes of plyometrics (fast, powerful movements) -- 20 calories
Two minutes of jogging in place -- 20 calories

Get the idea? Twenty calories may not seem like a lot when you consider that you need to burn at least 3,500 calories to lose a pound, but just one hour of watching television could mean more than 100 calories. (And heavier people actually burn more.)

You know you’re doing it right if you get your heart rate up and feel that slight bead of sweat on your brow as you settle down for the next tribal council.

Always look up!
Jamie

Cardiologist James Beckerman shares 200 evidence-based strategies for prevention, wellness, and weight loss with his new book, The Flex Diet: Design-Your-Own Weight Loss Plan.

MY THOUGHTS

splendid idea! i just don't know which will turn out to be harder to do - letting go of the remote or getting off the couch?