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Michael Roizen and Mehmet Oz, considered by many to be "America's favorite physicians," work together to bring their tips for a healthy ...

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Can You Save Workouts For The Weekend?

By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

Sometimes, squeezing in a few workouts during a superjammed week is like wearing spandex -- you'd rather not. So can you skip those sessions and just work out longer on the weekend? Heck, we're not talking about giving up your 30-minute daily walks -- but what about shelving those muscle-working, heart-pumping sessions. Can you save the sweaty stuff for weekends?

Not if you're fighting high blood pressure, lousy cholesterol counts (high LDL or low HDL) or extra pounds -- especially around your waist. In other words, not if you care about how long you live. It's burning 1,000 calories over four or five sessions -- not one or two -- that sets you up for a longer, healthier life.

Here's how frequent sessions do their magic: Brisk walking, running, biking or any aerobic activity lowers your triglycerides -- unhealthy blood fats linked to high levels of lousy LDL cholesterol -- for 24 hours. Get active every day, and your triglycerides will be progressively lower after four days. "Weekend warrior" calorie torching just can't match that.

Blood pressure is similar: A brisk walk lowers your BP immediately and for a few hours afterward. So the more frequently you do it, the closer you are to a happy and healthy 100th birthday.

Admittedly, there is one exception: Weekend warriors may add years to their lives if they're in virtually perfect health to begin with. That means they have NO risk factors for heart disease: no extra pounds, no smoking, no hypertension and no less-than-great cholesterol numbers. But let's face it -- few of us fall into that charmed space. We know you're working on it! Keep at it!

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The YOU Docs -- Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz -- are authors of the best-selling "YOU: The Owner's Manual" and "YOU: On a Diet." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home. (c) 2008 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

This news arrived on: 06/13/2008

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