Think you're too busy to exercise? Last week, researchers at the American Heart Association's Conference on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism reported that exercising as little as 10 to 30 minutes a day could improve health and quality of life in post-menopausal women who are sedentary and overweight.

In a study of over 400 overweight or obese women, with an average age of 57, who reported relatively inactive lifestyles, the researchers found that women who exercised regularly between 70 and 190 minutes a week for 6 months reported better health, more energy, and improved social functioning. The women who exercised the most reported the most significant improvements, but even those who exercised an average of just 10 minutes a day noticed an improved quality of life.

This is encouraging news - a little exercise is better than none at all...and along with a better quality of life, exercise builds stronger bones, another concern for women after menopause.