Move It and Lose It

Which type of exercise works better prevent the scale from moving in the wrong direction.

Trying to control your weight? Is the intensity of your workout more important than the length of time you spend at it? Exercising in short spurts may prevent the scale from moving in the wrong direction. The intensity of your workout may be more important than the length of time you spend at it.

Researchers at the University of Utah poured over data from more than 22,000 women and 23,000 men ages 18 to 64. Even in short spurts under 10 minutes…high intensity exercise was associated with a lower risk of obesity.

In fact, each daily minute of higher-intensity activity reduced the risk of obesity by 5 percent in women and by 2 percent in men. Current U.S. physical fitness guidelines suggest getting at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity a week, which can be accumulated in eight- to 10-minute periods.

This study suggests shorter spurts may work just as well, as long as your heart and lungs get a workout.