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Total Weekly Activity Time – how do you rate?

Total Weekly Activity Time – how do you rate?

Thursday, 26 May 2011 13:13

Take a minute to add up your ‘Total Activity Time’ for last week – or a typical week. Include any activity over 3 minutes in duration – do not worry about intensity – just that you are moving, e.g. any walking – to bus stop, to office, to church, to the ice-cream shop!! Any structured exercise – gym, jogging, ‘real’ sports (lawn bowls only counts for 25% – no offense!). Other activities – chasing/playing with your kids, chasing/playing with spouse!!

Notes:

Golfers – only count 60 minutes for 9 holes, 120 minutes for 18 holes

Sex – * Tommy, you obviously don’t have to worry about this section!

Sorry all, but only count 50 % of time involved (yes I know your heart rate is at its maximum). E.g. if you are ‘the average Australian male’ and you have sex for 6 minutes/week ( i.e. 3 times/week) – that only counts as 3 minutes total – vary accordingly. Of course no Australian male is average – purely hypothetical of course!!!

Your Score:

Now add up your total and see where you rate

< 150 minutes/week: Disastrous FAIL:

Get moving or get checking your health cover (and possibly your will).

150 – 250 minutes/week: Honourable FAIL – able to re-sit exam:

You’re still at increased risk of things like diabetes, heart disease, obesity etc. Look to include one more ‘decent’ exercise/long walk session/week and add in a few more ‘daily routine’ activities – the usual – get off bus one stop early & walk, park 15 minutes from the theatre & walk, walk 10 minutes to & from lunch, hide your spouse’s keys and make them walk etc.

250 – 350 minutes/week: Borderline PASS

Okay, you’re doing pretty good. Just maybe add 5-10 minutes to activity sessions and again look to add in a few more ‘daily routine activities’ – see above.

350 – 450 minutes/week: PASS with Honours

Great – keep it up.

> 450 minutes/week: HIGH DISTINCTION

Congratulations. You win significant protection against nearly all chronic illness – diabetes, heart disease, stroke, depression etc etc. Go and have a rest, you’re embarrassing us.

> 550 minutes/week: Distinction of being CERTIFIABLY MAD

Sorry, but unless you’re a labourer etc, you’ve lost your marbles. Go and do some work or watch some TV.

Hope you did well. If not re-test yourself in a few weeks.

Mark Bunn

Mark Bunn – is a leading natural health researcher specialising in Ayurvedic medicine, author of the three-time best-selling ‘Ancient Wisdom for Modern Health‘ and one of Australasia's most popular health and performance speakers.  Mark is also CEO of David Lynch Foundation Australia.