I believe we can do almost anything for 10 minutes. OK, so I may not be able to hold my breath for 10 minutes or stick my hand over a flame for 10 minutes - but you know what I mean.

In 10 minutes, I can do any one of the following:

• make my bed and pick up any loose items lying around my bedroom
• vacuum a room
• empty the dishwasher
• wipe the sink and swish the toilet

If I do one of these things in the morning, another as soon as I get home, the third while I’m making dinner and the last one just before going to bed, my house can be presentable all the time. It may not be perfect, but it won’t embarrass me if someone drops by unexpectedly.

So, why not apply the same 10-Minute-Rule to weight loss? Here’s what else can be done in 10 minutes or less. I can:

• do ab exercises (3 sets of 10 reps each)
• walk briskly to burn a few calories (or use the elliptical that’s in my bedroom)
• walk up and down a flight of stairs a few times
• buy fresh produce from the grocery store
• prepare a salad large enough to get me through 2 or 3 meals
• prepare a pot of home-made soup that’s loaded with vegetables (then let it simmer while I’m doing other things)
• put the soup in single serving containers for the freezer

If you‘re asking where these 10-minute pockets of time come from, just consider your current daily schedule to see where you can make minor modifications. For example, getting up 10 minutes earlier isn’t very hard to do (in less than 15 minutes, you can do both the ab exercises AND make the bed).

Secondly, no matter how busy your workday is, you should be able to take a couple of 10 minute breaks. Numerous studies have shown that taking small breaks actually increases your alertness and mental clarity so you can get more accomplished in less time.  

If you pack your own lunch, you should be able to eat it and still have plenty of time to burn some calories (or pay some bills to free your evening).

Most television shows have commercial breaks that last 3-5 minutes. If you use this time to pick up around the house, you’ll be able to fit in some exercise before or after your favorite show. If the show is a re-run, just turn it off and commit to getting things done instead. You can even walk in place while watching!

Putting a small television in the kitchen will allow you to watch your favorite show while cooking healthy meals (hint - prepare tomorrow’s dinner today, then just re-heat and do the last-minute prep just before you eat).

Catch up with friends and family members from your cell phone while you‘re outside walking instead of sitting on the sofa. As a bonus, the conversation will be more up-beat because of the endorphins that are released while exercising.

Get creative - where else can you create small pockets of time in YOUR day?

Remember...We can do ANYTHING for 10 minutes!