Researchers at the University of NSW, Australia and the Garvan Institute studied 45 overweight women over 15 weeks, putting them through a 20 minute cycling regime in which they sprinted on a stationary bike for eight seconds followed by 12 seconds of cycling lightly. They lost three times more weight as other women who exercised at a continuous, regular pace for 40 minutes. Their success was due to higher amounts of chemical compounds called catecholamines that are produced in increasing amounts when linked to interval sprinting; the resulting chemical reaction drives greater weight loss. The scientists believe the regime would also be applicable to swimming, walking, running and rowing.

In summary: do 8 seconds super-speed-12 seconds slowly-8 seconds to the maximum speed - 12 seconds slowly-8 seconds speedy-12 seconds slowly and together it should give you 20 minutes. That's all you need 6 times per week.

No, it is NOT true that the best time to excercise is after the meal. It has been proven by the most cruel method in the communist China on death-row prisoners.

They divided 1,000 prisoners who were about to be executed into two groups (they signed for this cruel experiment in order to save the reputation of their entire family). Both groups have eaten large meals after which 500 people had to exercise (run) immediately after the meal. The second group of 500 people had to rest or sleep right after the exercise. They opened them alive in various intervals and observed their digestive processes. The group which exercised right after the meal did not digest the food at all even several hours later. The group which rested or slept digested the food almost completely 2 hours later. For this China is the only country where it is stated in their constitution that rest should be taken after the meal and thus they have 1 hour siesta after their lunch.

I have had some theories over the past 10 years or so that there is actually too much emphasis on exercise, and that most people who do exercise, do too much. This is based on 2 main facts that I have gathered over the years; 1. That the immune system (white cell count) takes 48 hours to reach normal levels after initially increasing during exercise and then dropping below normal levels after exercise, and 2. That soft tissues and muscle take 48 hours to recover from the stress of use during exercise. For both these reasons it is then logical that we should not exercise within 48 hours of a previous session, as the body has not fully recovered, and daily exercise can slowly wear the system down. This is easily seen in a lot of sports these days, especially in marathon runners, who as they increase their workload and mileage, usuall most days of the week, their immune system will slowly weaken, so that when they reach the cut back phase in the last 2 weeks before the marathon where they reduce their mileage, thus less to stimulate the immune system, many end up with flu-like symptoms, some so bad they cannot run the marathon.  

Research done in Cape Town, South Africa by well known Dr Tim Noakes on 2 athletes training only twice a week indicated an increase in fitness levels in 6 weeks. So maybe this is telling us we do not need to exercise everyday, no matter what the time limit. As I always say, why not take more note of how our pets act, or how animals act. You don't see them running around everyday, only when they have to. If we did not take our dogs for a walk, do you think they would go on their own? At least the animals get a good and natural diet for health.

Eat healthy, exercise less, stay healthy, and live long?

Very light exercise after a meal is good. It circulates the blood through the muscles. This increases gycogen storage and stimulates the liver.  Heavier exercise definitely does interfere with digestion.

Strenous excercise after a mjor mean is not advisable because blood has left the muscles and extremities and moved to the digestinve system.  Excercise takes the blood back to the muscles and this can lead digestive problems.  Also there is a danger of muscle cramp.

Less excercise?  That is very bad health advice.  Excercise is a great way to improve cardiovascular fitness, increase muscle tone, increase bone density, elevate mood and help weight loss.  Obviously it is possible to overdo it and rest days are vital to let the body recover and repair.  But and active lifestyle is strongly correlated with health and wellbeing and everyone should be advised of its benefits.  Ask any GP (or even better, anyone who does a lot of excercise!)