HEALTH

Workouts

HEALTHY YOU Q's: Cardio Confuzzlement

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Q. How much cardio should I do every week? I want to start doing something regularly, and I don’t know where to begin. Help!

A. Ya wanna aim for at least 20 minutes three to five times per week. That includes running, walking, biking, swimming, ellipticals, really anything that gets the heart pumping! If you’re just starting out jogging, don’t leap up off the couch and start aiming for a 6-minute mile. First, take your time stretching, and then start by running one minute, walking the next and so on for 15 or so minutes. As time goes on, increase the intervals, and you’ll gradually be able to work up to running for a whole 20 minutes. Same goes for biking and swimming and everything else—ease into it. Your bod will thank you. “If you are eating healthy and exercising 3 times a week, you’ll see results 2-3 weeks,” says celeb trainer Valerie Waters.

Oh, and if you’re looking for some extra motivation, does a buddy want to come along for the ride, er, run? Def makes it more fun.

Blog It Out… What’s your all-time fave cardio? What do you dread?

Face it — your body can be one crazy perplexing place sometimes. So submit your body, health and fitness questions here! We’re talkin’ to experts and doing tons o’ research so we can get you the answers you need. Just e-mail HealthyYouQs@girlslife.com!

3/11/2008 12:00:11 PM