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by jsjsbdkj 1730 days ago
I don't think trying to passively exercise while working is the right approach - I take 2-3 15 minute walking breaks a day, but I also do 30 minutes to an hour of cardio before or after work every day. I use a bike trainer and rowing machine, but this could also be running, HIIT, roller blading, whatever. IME getting your heartrate into the aerobic zone for 30 minutes a day is way more effective at maintaining fitness than having it slightly elevated all the time.
1 comments

Walking carries much of the benefit of higher intensity exercise.

It won't build aerobic capacity much, but it burns calories and is good for heart health and so on.

I think it helps if the first half of a walk is up hill. I live next to national forest land, and even a 20 minute walk helps because the first ten minutes is up hill so my heart rate increases. When I am hiking without friends, I move at almost a jogging speed when walking. With friends, we walk leisurely. I try to do one very long hike a week (2 to 4 hours) if my work schedule permits this. Anyway, I have read that it is distance covered that counts, that jogging 2 miles is about the same as walking two miles.

Feel free to call out bullshit here, but: I think that exercise where you are mentally calm and happy counts for a lot more than exercising when you feel tense or unhappy.