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Top 10 Ways to Add Movement in Life
All
exercises sound great for the benefits they extend. Also, it is understandable
that committing to an exercise program can be overwhelming. But recent studies
have proved that even moderate movements when done for as little as 30 minutes a
day, can improve your health considerably and reduce the chances of heart and
life-threatening diseases.
By making just a few changes in
your daily routine you can get the body moving and be well on your way to be
fit. Here are my top ten ways to add movement to your daily routine:
Take
the Stairs :
skip the lift or escalator and take the stairs once a day. If you have
stairs at the office or at home, make it fun: put a sign-up sheet at the
bottom of the stairs for everyone to sign when choosing to take the stairs
Skip the parking
space :
instead of circling the car park looking for that perfect space, park at the
far end or a mile away and walk. A few extra steps add up.
Walk or cycle instead of
drive : Going about in a car does not include any physical exercise;
instead of putting the key in the ignition, put on your walking shoes or hop
on you bicycle.
Walk to the
shops :
now that shopping can be a matter of clicking a mouse or dialing a phone,
make an effort and go to the shops. Browse in a bookshop or walk a few extra
laps around the shopping center. To check the number of calories burned
during various physical activities,
click
here.
Clean the
house : yes, housework counts! Do your own housework instead of hiring
someone (or not doing it at all). Wash the dishes by hand, sweep and mop the
floor, or put clothes away. Try to consciously contract and relax your abdominal
muscles to give them a wake-up call.
Garden
: work in the
garden, mow the grass (no, riding mowers don't count), prune, dig, pick up
rubbish this will get the blood moving in every part of your body. Besides
gardening is also a good way of getting out all the pent up energies.
Add movement while
watching television : Its true, you're not going to get in shape by
watching television. But if you must, try to sit up instead of lying
down. Or better still, pedal on a stationary bike, stretch, or at least
throw away the remote.
Stretch out, quite often :
if you've been sitting for a long time, roll your shoulders backwards
and forwards, roll your neck, stretch your arms out in front of you, and
take a deep breath.
Fidget
: when talking
on the phone, stand up and walk around. When sitting, twirl a pencil or pen,
chew gum, or move your legs around. The purpose is not to leave the body
idle,
coax your mind with the benefits of exercise.
 Get out of your chair at
the office : walk down the hall instead of calling or e-mailing a
colleague. Walk around the block at lunchtime. Try having a walking meeting
with colleagues.
Walk
for the joy of feeling your body move and grow stronger. Hectic
schedules need not mean forgoing exercise- even if you can manage 10 minutes
of walk, you'll feel the benefit.
Do
not
exercise simply to lose weight, purge fat from your body, or to "make-up
for" calories you have eaten. Shoot for long term health benefits from
exercise.
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