Wellness made easy

If you don't have time for long workouts, short bouts of exercise can be just as good. The University of California Wellness Letter reports that a recent British study of young men found that 10 three-minute bouts of brisk walking over the course of five hours were as effective in lowering triglycerides (fats in blood) and resting blood pressure as one 30-minute bout. Other studies have compared three or four 10-minute sessions to a single 30- or 40-minute session, and found that the repeated short bouts can me just as healthful as longer ones.

This is good news for downtowners who typically walk about more then their suburban counter parts. Picking up the pace on our trek to Starbucks, the grocery store, or to the dog park can keep us just as healthy as that step aerobics class at the local 24 HR Fitness.

We should also know that Portlanders live in one of the top walking cities in the US. According to The American Podiatric Medical Association, Portland ranked number 4 in their survey of 200 U.S. incorporated cities. The survey is based on three walking conducive categories: healthy lifestyles, modes of transportation to and from work, and involvement in fitness and sport activities.