Although most people know that exercising is essential for maintaining good health, a large number of individuals do not do it nearly as often as they should. If you fall into this category, you are far from alone. With that said, if you recognize you need to exercise more, now is the perfect time to figure out ways to incorporate more activeness into your daily routine.
When it comes to exercise, one of the biggest reasons that people believe they do not do it enough is time. The thing is, you do not have to be a bodybuilder or professional athlete to exercise on a regular basis. There are many easy ways to include frequent movement into your daily life.
1. Try Walking Meetings
One of the biggest drawbacks of working in an office environment is the amount of sitting it usually requires. However, there are ways to add more movement to your work. For example, the next time your boss or coworker wants to have a meeting, suggest going for a walking meeting. Not only will the exercise get you moving, but the fresh air might help you think more clearly, too.
2. Make Time To Play
With all of the busyness that life can throw at you, it is not uncommon to lose sight of the importance of play. Educators at the Sanford Health Foundation recommend setting aside 30 minutes each day to make exercise more enjoyable through fun activities. For example, USANA Athletes understand the importance of play. As athletes focus on good health and winning, they know that top-of-the-line nutrition involves multiple components, even when you are at home with the kids.
3. Turn Yard Work Into a Workout
If you have a house with a yard, chances are that it requires ongoing maintenance. While yard work can often feel like a chore, it does not have to be. Instead of looking at mowing or raking leaves as work, try seeing these activities as opportunities to work out. If you want to make things official, try using a step counter while you do it. The amount of movement will probably surprise you.
4. Replace Happy Hour With Something Active
For many people, Happy Hour is an after-work tradition. If you fall into this category, this is another great time to switch out for a healthier alternative. In particular, try to replace your social drinking hour with an hour of something active but still social. You might try walking, jogging, dancing or playing a game of basketball.
5. Walk the Dog (or Cat)
One of the best parts about having a pet dog is that it always gives you a good reason to go for a walk. If you have a canine in your family, take advantage of the opportunity to take a walk or light jog around your neighborhood. If you do not have a dog but have felines instead, do not be afraid to try walking your cat. It might be a challenge at first, but some cats love it.
6. Exercise While Watching Television
Multi-tasking is not always a great idea, but sometimes it works very well with exercise. Even though watching TV is traditionally a sedentary activity, it does not have to be. Place your TV somewhere that you can use the treadmill, exercise bike or other types of workout equipment while you are catching up on episodes of your favorite show.
7. Walk on Your Lunch Hour
Another one of the easiest ways to exercise more is by going for a walk during your lunch hour at work. Although it is not a great idea to eat while walking, you can try walking for the majority of the hour and then eating at your desk as you get back to work.
Exercise can sometimes seem like another time consuming task to add to your already-long to-do list, but it does not need to be. By incorporating it into your daily routine with these tips, you will be well on your way to being healthier.