How to Stay Fit Without Exercise

Americans are busy. With our fast paced lifestyles there never seems to be enough hours in the day to fit in time to exercise. In fact, 7 out of 10 Americans don't get enough exercise. There are simple ways to incorporate physical activities into your day without having to make time for the gym.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Incorporate more walking into your daily routines. The easiest way to stay fit without exercise is to replace walking for driving whenever possible. You can walk to work, the store, to school, to church and to run some errands if any of these options are within walking distance.
2. Park your car farther away from the store or work so you can incorporate a few more steps of exercise into your daily routine.
3. Take the stairs whenever possible. Stair climbing is a great way to stay fit without formal exercise programs.
4. Clean your house. It can be great for increasing your activity level. Do a leg lunge every time you push the vacuum forward, do squats when you dust items closer to the ground and use large arm movements when cleaning the bathroom mirror.
5. Dance the night away. Dancing is a great way to stay fit without a formal exercise routine. Plan a dancing date with your significant other or friends, or just close the curtains, turn up the music and dance away.
6. Play with your pets or your kids. Play fetch with the dog and play tag with the kids. They will appreciate the extra time you spend with them and your body will appreciate the extra activity to get fit.
7. Use a push mower to mow your lawn or parts of your lawn instead of a riding mower.

Tips & Warnings

• Wearing a pedometer to monitor your daily steps is a great motivator. Pedometers can be found at many sporting goods stores such as Dick's Sporting Goods.
• If you have health conditions or have been inactive for a while consult your doctor before trying to increase your activity level.