10 minutes to better blood sugar

If you don’t have a lot of time for exercise, here’s an option that might work: Sprinting.

I know what you’re thinking. “Dr. Fred, I can’t even jog, let alone sprint.” But hear me out…

We’re not talking about long distances here. Or even a lot of time. In fact, these “sprinting” workouts only last 10 minutes. Total. That’s even less time than the 15-minute after-dinner walk I’ve been asking you to commit to. And you only have to sprint for 20 seconds–max.

But a new study shows that this quick workout can lead to some major improvements.

Here’s how it works…

Researchers had a group of sedentary people do three of these workouts a week for six weeks. Each workout consisted of easy cycling and sprinting.

The first week, the subjects only sprinted once during their 10-minute workout. And only for 10 seconds. The next two weeks, they sprinted twice during the routine. Each sprint lasted 15 seconds. The last three weeks, they continued with two sprints per workout. But those sprints were each 20 seconds long.

At the end of six weeks, these short workouts led to a whopping 28 percent improvement in insulin function.

I love this study because it reinforces my philosophy. Getting healthy doesn’t have to be torture. It can actually be fun. And quick.

Try adding a few 10-second sprints to your exercise regimen this week. Whether you’re riding a bike or walking around the block, it’s an easy way to get more “bang for your buck.”

And don’t get hung up on the idea of sprinting. You can do it! Even if you’ve never jogged a step in your life. Believe me, 10 seconds goes by so fast, you’ll barely feel it.