Ways You Could Be Getting More Exercise
We all know that getting exercise is important, but most of us dont have the time to complete a full work out each day. Between working, taking care of our families, maintaining hobbies, and keeping a happy home, exercise can easily find its way to the back burner.
But getting necessary exercise doesnt have to be difficult. Here are some simple changes you can make to get more movement in your day!
Take the Stairs
When an elevator is nearby, it is so easy to ride it to whatever floor youre going to. Unless its necessary, try to take the stairs instead.
Even if you need to get to the tenth floor or higher, at least take the stairs for a flight or two before hopping on the elevator. Anytime you run into a flight of stairs, opt to walk up them instead of taking the easy way.
Bike or Walk to Work
If you live close enough, choose to bike or walk to work. You may need to wake up a bit earlier, but you will save money on gas and get the exercise you need. While this may not be practical for everyone, those who can take advantage of this bit of activity should.
Do Jumping Jacks During Commercials
If youre just sitting around watching your favorite TV show, sneak some exercise in for some extra movement. Whenever you have a commercial break, do jumping jacks until the show comes back on. Jumping jacks are great for burning calories and youll begin feeling better and dropping pounds in no time.
Park Far Away
When youre out running errands, dont look for the parking spot closest to the grocery store. Instead, pick a place at the far end of the parking lot. While the extra steps may not seem like much, they can quickly add up when you make it a habit. If youre only in for a light purchase, carry your bags back instead of putting them in a cart. Adding some weight can make your walk even better.
Walk with Your Morning Coffee
Wake up 20 minutes early to take a walk in the morning. Pour your coffee into a to-go cup and spend a few minutes walking around the block. Not only will some fresh air help you wake up and feel relaxed to face your day, youll also start your day with a bit of exercise. This can keep you ready to make better choices throughout your day.
Dont Sit Down
If youre waiting for a service, dont sit down. If youre at the hospital waiting for an appointment or even waiting to pick up your takeout, walk around the building or the area while you wait.
Since you cant do anything else during this time, you might as well make something productive out of it. Explore and see whats around.
Do Housework
When you need to do chores in or outside of the house, you may want to outsource the work to a cleaning service. But scrubbing, mopping and cleaning can actually be a great way to burn calories. If youre looking to get some more exercise, do something that needs to be done anyway. Scrub the shower, pull some weeds, or even take the time to pressure wash the outside of the house. Any kind of activity will add up.
Use a Fitness Tracker
When you see how much you actually move, it can be fun to try and beat your previous records. Fitness trackers make it easy to see the number of steps that you take or how much exercise you are getting. Try to beat your personal record and always look for ways to improve. Seeing how much or how little you move can push you to get more done and try to add more steps to your count. Getting exercise doesnt need to be difficult, but it is necessary. Try implementing these steps in your day to day activities and youll feel better in no time.
Source: thedailyeight.com
