Hey everyone... Well, I have a question-or not so much a question but more like "I'd like some input"... Last year I had got into the groove of walking 6 miles a day..I quit after about 4 months of it b/c I had a surgery on my leg...right when my leg began to get better my dad that I take care -had a transplant. We had to basically live in another town 3 hours away for almost 4 months and I did not have the time to do my workouts like I was doing...we just got released to come back home a few weeks ago and I started my walking routine again yesterday...
I am wondering this:
Do you think there is a certain time of the day that you are suppose to exercise? Between caring for my father, and my child...I am kinda having to fit it in where I can....I use to do all 6 miles in the morning..but my schedule isnt really allowing all that much time in the morning...so right now I am having to break it up--I did two miles this morning and two this afternoon

Do you all think it makes a difference? Do you think the mornings are better---or the evenings after you've eaten everything for the day? Persoanly, I liked doing it in the mornings getting it outta the way.......

Love your opinions....

There are many ways to answer this and all have some validity and research to back them up. The best answer for you though is that whatever you can get in is better than doing nothing. I am at work right now but will possibly answer in more detail later tonight.

ok Damon...thanks :) look forward to reading what you have to say

Brookeye, I think with your leg surgery, it might be better for you to take shorter walks through out the day whenever you can fit them in so that you don't get an overuse injury. However, if you're up to a 6 mile walk, that's like 90 minutes at a time? When my kids were really little I did it at 5 a.m....I DO NOT think that's the BEST time to work that hard, but it was the only time NO ONE needed me. The rest of the day, from 6:30 a.m. until midnight every day somebody NEEDS something!!! Being a mom is the most freakin' demanding job on the planet.

I've read studies in fitness magazines that say there is no real difference if you break the work out up between a couple of sessions a day and one big one.

I think that taking care of your dad on top of everything is so admirable. I hope you find the times that will work for you. And I really hope that you won't give up. This is one thing that you do "for you" that will benefit everyone you know as much as yourself.

Hi Sandi,

Thank you so much for your input! My leg surgery wasn't anything from an injury--I had a real big tumor on my inner thigh .....and it was time to get it removed! So, its nothing that will affect my walking ..But what your saying about the articles you have read is what I was trying to figure out....I have been pretty unclear on that for awhile and its bothered me..I didnt want to be breaking the walks up if it was hurting me...So thank ya thank ya

Brookeye,

It is true that breaking them up will not cause a problem but there is something you need to consider.If your early workout/walk is before you eat breakfast make sure you eat a little something as this will help you get a good start. Also if you are walking to burn fat it takes 20 minutes before your body actually gets to a point that fat is effectively burned so it is after this that your body is at its peak level for that pourpose. The AM workout would be the one that I wold always try to get in. If the two workouts were exactly the same I think you would see how much more you bennifit from the early one. But again the main thing is that you are doing it.

One other thing, our bodies get used to exercise and if you dont change it up sometimes your body doesnt respond as well to it.

Brook,

I think it is great that you are getting some "me" time back and getting your workouts together as well. I often have to break my workouts up to get it all in. I like sleep a little too much to do an early morning one so I get homework interruptions and sometimes have to break up a squabble in the middle of my workouts but the point it that it is getting done. I am sure that there are "perfect" conditions to walk under and "perfect" times to get the most bang for your effort BUT if trying to get those things ends up shortening your time spent or your enjoyment then I don't think that they are worth it. I tend to usually be an all or nothing gal so there are times when I wouldn't get a workout in because conditions and timings weren't ideal. It is silly, a pushup is a pushup even if I don't get to do them exactly how I want.

smooches xx

i personally think anytime u can excersize is great as long as u do it that counts. try the dvd series walk away the pounds u can do 1,2,3,4 miles right in your home anytime and u dont have to leave the house to do it and this workout is way more than just walking! i hated to to excersize but i do this workout faithfully and even my 3year old does it with me. hope this helps and best of luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As far as timing goes, I am sure the best time is whatever works for you. It's probably best if you are as consistant with time of day as possible, because it helps you make exercise a part of your everyday routine instead of something you have to 'work in'. In a perfect world!

But when your schedule is hectic and time is scarce, it's great that you make exercise enough of a priority that you are determined to find time (or times) for it.

Do what you can.

I would encourage you to try to get in at least 20 minutes in each session -- move as vigorously as possible and get that heartrate up! Maybe add in periodic jogging for very short distances (if your joints can handle it) just to boost that heartrate. And be sure to warm up (start slower and build up your speed), cool down (decrease speed in the last couple of minutes) and stretch when you are done.

Walking is great exercise! I did it faithfully while my weight was coming off. Congratulations on committing to using this valuable tool in the WLS treasure chest!

Judy