Looking at more than 1,000 men and women from a nationally represented sample, the researchers found that women were getting only about 18 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise daily, compared to men who, on average, were getting 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise daily. “Those who get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day are less likely to be depressed, less likely to have high cholesterol and less likely to have metabolic syndrome,” Loprinzi said. – Study: Women Lack Exercise at Risk of Developing Metabolic Syndrome (h/t Jezebel)
Gold's Gym in Cityscape is offering free outdoor Zumba classes...to get people walking around CityScape and downtown Phoenix. (Madeline Pado/DD)
Let’s break down the mumbo jumbo.
“Metabolic syndrome” is the collision of coronary artery disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
People just don’t want to accept, admit and then do something about the fact that most of our health issues are in our own hands. For instance, anyone who’s read Sugar Blues, the first book I read on the road to having more control over my own health, knew a long time ago what “60 Minutes” recently reported. Sugar = poison, it’s not a news flash, because that’s been known for decades.
Whenever I see a woman with a thick middle and no waist I wonder if she was active as a kid.
“Research has shown that around ages 5 or 6 these patterns begin,” Cardinal said. “Parents tend to be more concerned with the safety of girls, and have more restrictive practices around outdoor time and playtime than with boys.” – Study: Women Lack Exercise at Risk of Developing Metabolic Syndrome
As a dancer from the time I could walk, I didn’t have that problem. As I wrote in an article for Zocalo Public Square, I was on the other end of the exercise pendulum.
A new study proves that women need to work at getting exercise more than men. I’m wondering it it’s because of women’s role in the family, coupled with working, but also because it’s not seen as important for women.
The more you travel America, the more you’ll see a lot of overweight people, women and men, especially when it comes to belly fat and middle age. But the epidemic of fat kids is staggering. A man’s round belly sticking out over their belt, with marriage and a partner equally obese, making the partners feel it’s okay. It’s not, but it’s a fight to conquer it, one well worth waging.
The biggest thing about exercise as women get older is the positive impact it has on the relationship we have with our bodies. Once having children is in the rear view mirror, by choice early on (my case) or when you become free from fertility struggles, American society values women less physically. Our wrinkles and lines and aging become the issue, because who cares about the sexuality of women beyond 20-something models?
Ew, gross!
Nothing makes a woman feel better about her body than when she’s fit and at her fighting weight. Now we’re learning it actually makes us live longer. …and it’s absolutely not about being thin, but not working out!
Too many women don’t put vigorous exercise at the top of their daily to dos. I’m too busy, is a constant whine.
This new study offers more evidence that being lazy is also making women sick. The kind of sickness that damages our quality of life.
I take a Pilates class at 6 AM 5 days a week and have been doing so for the last 5 years.
I have never felt or looked better.
It is a lifestyle change and a decision I made for myself.
You so nailed it.
It’s a LIFESTYLE change, absolutely.
I bet you look great! Good for you.
It’s funny, one day I looked up and realized I was drinking more, smoking occasionally, getting older and feeling worse.
I decided to take that money and energy and put it to better use. As I became healthier I did more and more like changing my diet and walking places I would normally drive because it felt right.
I tell people all of the time living a truly healthy lifestyle is actually cheaper.
I actually enjoy a glass of wine even more now!
Me, too! The wine is actually sweeter.
Great post, Taylor. I have always been one to stay in shape and keep fit by running, martial arts and now pilates. Love the pilates! However, what does hinder me is this thing called menopause. Ugh. It’s hard on the sleep pattern, which affects the daily exercise routine. but, I am taking bioidenticle hormones which does help A LOT. Still have the night sweats and sleepless nights occasionally, though.
As far as I’m aware, it takes some tweaking on the bioidential hormones to get them right.
Also, things like red wine can play havoc, as can certain foods, which depends on the woman.
Pilates is a huge fave among the grrls.
This is not exactly new, a more old fashioned way of saying this would be to call it complications of obesity.
Unfortunately, our modern lives are very sedentary. Most of our free time is spent glued to the T.V. or clattering away at a PCs. Not many calories burned there I’m afraid.
We compound this problem by eating prepackaged food and fast food. One meal at McDonald’s can blow through your entire calorie count for the day, and I would rather not get into how nutritionally awful that Big Mac with fries is. There is no way you’re cutting back to 1500 calories if McDonald’s enters your meal plan or Burger King for that matter, or KFC either (sorry, the grilled chicken at the Colonel’s is something of a bust.) Even sit down restaurants can be the bane of a dieter’s existence. I will never look at the nutritional information for Applebee’s again, it is just too damn depressing. I would also skip the blooming onion at Outback too, that way lies madness, and a 1500 calorie hit– that’s 750 or so calories if you split it with a significant other. Even the salads at many restaurants are a nutritionally suspect; politically correct they are not. Again, Applebee’s seems to have a real talent in turning a supposed good thing into a dieter’s disaster. (As in “excuse me, how did this chicken salad end up having more fat than a cheeseburger? By the way, was it really necessary to put an entire salt lick into the recipe”)
Getting back into fighting trim is no easy task. As a matter of course, if you fit the diagnosis for Metabolic Syndrome, it would best to consult with a physician before starting any exercise / diet regime. Men especially need to be screened for cardiac and stroke issues when they pass the big four zero. Post menopausal women also need to have their tickers green-lighted; sorry ladies, once the estrogen goes away you’re every bit as susceptible to heart attack as the big hulking males.
The easiest way to get back to wellness is to walk. A easy walk for 20 minutes can lay a base for more strenuous activities later. Slamming your unfit body in Pilates is not a good idea; start simply, start easy, start gradually. A nice walk on level ground every day is a good beginning. Once you get the habit, and once your doc gives you the green light, you can try something a bit more strenuous. Coupling this with a sane, rational, achievable diet is the best way to achieve your goals.
I happen to be very conservative on the issue of diets and recommend you talk to a nutritionist who will base your diet on ADA guidelines or other tried and true diet regime. Stay far, far, far away from fad diets, as most of them are too hard to follow and are nutritionally unsound. You will be amazed what a little portion control and right choices can do for your general health. You will also be amazed by what constitutes proper portions for your meals; hint: proper portions are a lot smaller than you have been lead to believe.
The principles of proper diet an exercise are fairly simple. Alas, sticking to the program is different matter. Good luck to all of us on that point.