Search powered by AI
Healthy Women Image

Jacquelyne Froeber

Senior Editor, HealthyWomen

Jacquelyne Froeber is an award-winning journalist and editor. She’ holds a BA in journalism from Michigan State University. She is the former editor-in-chief of Celebrated Living magazine and has editing and writing experience for print and online publications, including Health magazine, Coastal Living magazine and AARP.org.

As a breast cancer survivor, Jacquelyne encourages everyone to perform self-exams and get their yearly mammograms.

Full Bio
It’s (Exercise) Snack Time!

It's (Exercise) Snack Time!

Quick bursts of physical activity throughout the day can be just as good for your health as longer workouts

Your Wellness

Medically reviewed by Brandon Bishop DPT, ATC

Are you sitting down? It might be time for a snack — an exercise snack, that is.

New research shows that bursts of exercise throughout the day — one- or two-minute “snacks” — can improve health and protect muscles from the harmful consequences of sitting too long.

The research also found that exercise snacking may be just as beneficial as traditional workouts. Why? The key is moving your body more often. In one study, participants who sat nonstop for 10-plus hours but exercised for 30 minutes straight per day had elevated blood sugars, cholesterol and body fat, but the men and women who moved more often throughout the day were healthier.

And the best part? You can do exercise snacks anytime, anywhere. “You don't need to find 45- to 60-minute blocks during the day to take care of yourself,” said Brandon Bishop DPT, ATC, a physical therapist at Reischl Physical Therapy in California. “Participating in two-minute exercises throughout the day is a great way to improve your overall health, both physically and mentally.”

Here’s how it works: Try one of the exercises in the snack menu below for two minutes every hour (or every 30 minutes if possible) and get ready to look and feel like a healthy snack.

Mini Lunge

mini lunge
  • Begin in a standing upright position.
  • Step forward with one foot and lower down into a mini lunge position. Return to standing and repeat on the other leg.
  • Tip: Do not let your front knee move forward past your toes.

Single-Leg Balance with Alternating Floor Reaches

Single-Leg Balance with Alternating Floor Reaches
  • Begin in a standing upright position.
  • Bend forward at your hips, lifting one leg straight behind you, and reach toward the ground with one hand at the same time. Return back to the starting position and repeat with your other arm.
  • Tip: Maintain your balance and keep your back straight as you bend forward.

Squat with Chair Touch

Squat with Chair Touch
  • Begin in a standing upright position in front of a chair.
  • Lower yourself into a squatting position, bending at your hips and knees, until you lightly touch the chair. Return to the starting position and repeat.
  • Tip: Make sure to maintain your balance during the exercise and do not let your knees bend forward past your toes.

Squat Jumps

Squat Jumps
  • Begin in a standing upright position with your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart.
  • Lower yourself into a squatting position with your arms straight, then jump up, moving your arms back as you do. Land in a squat and repeat the movement.
  • Tip: Make sure your knees do not collapse inward or move forward past your toes as you land and try not to over arch your back.

Wall Squat

  • Begin in a standing upright position in front of a wall with your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart.
  • Lean back into a squat against the wall with your knees bent to 90 degrees, and hold this position.
  • Tip: Make sure your knees are not bent forward past your toes and keep your back flat against the wall during the exercise.

Wall Squat with Leg Lifts

  • Begin in a standing upright position in front of a wall. Place your palms against the wall and lean back into a squat position.
  • Slowly lift one leg up to 90 degrees, then lower it back down and repeat with your other leg.
  • Tip: Make sure your knees are not bent forward past your toes and keep your back flat against the wall during the exercise.

Sidestepping

Sidestepping
  • Begin standing upright. Bend your hips and knees into a mini squat position.
  • Slowly step sideways, then step back to the starting position in the opposite direction.
  • Tip: Keep your feet pointing straight forward, your abdominals tight and do not let your knees collapse inward during the exercise.

Standing Hip Extension

Standing Hip Extension
  • Begin in a standing upright position holding on to a stable object for support.
  • Lift one leg backward, then slowly return to the starting position and repeat.
  • Tip: Keep your back straight and maintain your balance during the exercise.

Standard Plank

Standard Plank
  • Begin lying on your front, propped up on your elbows.
  • Engage your abdominal muscles and lift your hips and legs up into a plank position, keeping your elbows directly under your shoulders. Hold this position.
  • Tip: Keep your back straight and maintain a gentle chin tuck during the exercise.

Supine 90/90 Alternating Heel Touches with Posterior Pelvic Tilt

Supine 90/90 Alternating Heel Touches with Posterior Pelvic Tilt
  • Begin lying on your back with your legs bent and your feet resting on the ground. Tighten your abdominals to tilt your pelvis backward, then move both legs to a 90 degree angle.
  • Slowly lower one leg down to touch your heel to the ground, while keeping your knee bent, then bring it back up to the starting position and repeat with your other leg.
  • Tip: Keep your abdominals tight and your pelvis tilted backward throughout the exercise.

You might be interested in
Trending Topics

Español

C. diff is the name of a common, easily transmittable infection caused by the bacterium Clostridioides difficile. The infection causes your colon (bowel) wall to become inflamed, resulting in severe, watery diarrhea. Left untreated, it can cause a serious complication called toxic megacolon.

C. diff affects about 250,000 people in the United States every year. Some people get it only once in their lifetime, but if you have a C. diff infection, there is up to a 1 in 4 chance you might relapse (the same infection returns) or get it again within eight weeks. People at the highest risk for a C. diff infection are those who take or have recently taken antibiotics, especially if they have a weak immune system.

The bacteria live in feces (poop), and in soil and water. They spread easily and can live for a long time on hard and soft surfaces, like linens and clothing. If someone who has C. diff on their hands touches a door handle and you touch it after, the bacteria transfer to your hand. They then can enter your gastrointestinal system if you touch your mouth or handle food before washing your hands.

Protect yourself and others from getting a C. diff infection in a healthcare setting

hand washing in a hospital

If you are a patient in a hospital, skilled nursing facility or rehabilitation center, you are at higher risk of getting a C. diff infection — not just because you likely have a weak immune system from the condition that put you in the facility but also because of the number of people you may encounter while you’re there.

Here are some steps you can take to lower the risk of getting C. diff in a healthcare facility:

  1. Make sure all healthcare workers and visitors wash their hands before they touch you and your things. If you don’t see them wash their hands, ask them to do so.
  2. Wash your hands well with soap and water every time you use the bathroom. If you use a bedside commode, ask to be transported to a sink to wash your hands or use a waterless hand sanitizer.
  3. Wash your hands before eating or drinking. If you can’t get to a sink, ask the staff or a friend to supply you with a waterless hand sanitizer to use while you are in bed or sitting in your chair.
  4. Allow cleaning staff access to your environment. Clear everything off the bedside table or nightstand, and remove clothing or linens from the bedside rails so they can be wiped down.

Patients with a diagnosed C. diff infection should not share a room with someone who does not have the infection. If you do share a room and your roommate contracts C. diff, ask to be moved.

Stop the spread of C. diff at home

household cleaning supplies

C. diff doesn’t just affect people in healthcare facilities. It can happen at home, too.

Here are steps you can take to reduce the risk of spreading C. diff at home:

  1. If your home has a second bathroom, reserve one for the person with the C. diff infection to limit exposure to others.
  2. If your home has only one bathroom, make sure the toilet seat, flusher, faucets, light switches and doorknob are cleaned with a bleach-based cleaner after each use.
  3. If the infected person is immobile, keep waterless hand sanitizer within reach.
  4. Clean common home surfaces (door knobs, light switches, fridge handles, etc.).
  5. Wash clothing (especially underwear), towels and linens separately and in the hottest water possible.
  6. Wear disposable gloves while handling clothing and linens, especially if the person is incontinent (loses control of their bowels). Wash your hands after removing the gloves.
  7. Shower with soap to remove C. diff that may be on the skin.

This educational resource was created with support from Seres Therapeutics and Nestle Health Science.