Walking is not Exercise!

When I ask my patients about exercise, they all say that they exercise. When I ask for details, they say they walk every day.

I'm sorry, but walking is not exercise!

When we say "exercise" we mean an activity that elevates your heart rate. You need to get your heart rate between 60-80% of your predicted maximum. Your predicted maximum heart rate is 220-age. If you are 20 years old, your predicted maximum is 200. Sixty percent of that, is 120. So, a twenty year old needs to get their heart rate over 120.

When most people walk, they probably don't acheive this 60% threshold. Unless you are extremely out of shape.

And usually, when we say 40 minutes per day, we mean that your heart rate should be over 60% for forty minutes per day. It may take 5 minutes to get your heart rate that high.

However, if it comes down to walking, or not doing anything at all..... please walk! It's better than nothing.