When you hear the word challenge is your curiosity peaked? Do you lean in and listen to see what it is you are being called to try?
We started our 150 minute cardio challenge to complement our 150th anniversary at the beginning of January! What a great way to start the New Year with a group of folks that would encourage you to complete this challenge.
Not only does the 150 Minute Challenge tie in nicely with our Anniversary year but did you know that American Heart Association recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate cardio each week? (If you go for more of the high intensity stuff, you can do less with as little as 75 minutes per week.)
Cardio is anything that is rhythmic and sustained with most major muscle groups moving without pause for a minimum of 10 minutes. So, the 150 minute time can be broken down into as little as 10-15 minutes at a time! Ten to fifteen minutes in the morning and 10-15 minutes at night yields the same benefit as 30 minutes continuous when it comes to heart health.
So what can cardio do for your body? If you consistently reach the 150 minute per week goal, you decrease your chances of developing heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, vascular disease (which can lead to stroke), colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and Alzheimers disease. If you are wondering about strength training and anaerobic training, while they are still beneficial to the body as well as helpful to maintain a healthy body weight and bone density, does not count for the same benefits as true cardio. Running, swimming, biking, using the elliptical as well as other cardio machines is an essential part of anyone’s weekly routine.
Are you up for the challenge? Although our challenge will end shortly, that shouldn’t stop you from challenging yourself to meet your 150 minute marker. Take the challenge and challenge a friend as well for support and encouragement. Feel free to print out the 150 Minute Challenge form and start tracking your goals today!