How to Work Exercise into Your Day

Exercise does not always mean going to the gym, perspiring and having to do a certain amount before your conscience is satisfied. Rather, it is movement and lifestyle. Depending upon where you work or what you do during the day, you can increase your exercise throughout the day.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Athletic Shoes
• Loose Fitting Clothing
• Stairs
• Parking Lot
• Sidewalks or Side streets
• Free Weights
• Exercise Bands
• Yoga or Exercise DVD
• Bicycle
• Ball
• Jump rope

1. Get up early and see if you can pop in a DVD quickly before everyone wakes up or you have to go off to work. This will help you stick to your routine and get exercise out of your day. It is also good for boosting and maintaining your metabolism throughout your busy day. Yoga also helps you face your daily stress in a better way.
2. If you are not an early riser or cannot see your way to doing DVD exercise, consider doing sit ups, push ups or calisthenics immediately after getting out of bed. They do not take up a lot of room and again, your energy will be immediately boosted. It will also help you face the tension of the day and tone. You can do the same thing just before retiring for the evening.
3. Grab some friends or neighbors during lunch and bring your weights. Or, a stroller acts as resistance and weight itself. Kids are always welcome. You will catch up, time will fly and before you know it you may have covered a couple miles. If you are brave, you can do this at the zoo, museum, downtown or at a shopping or entertainment venue for a change of pace.
4. Ride your bicycle around the neighborhood or on a path with your family. This is pretty simple and you do not have to be in the best of shape to do it. You can have a fun ride under your belt in less than 20 minutes and it tones your entire lower half while keeping your heart in shape.
5. If none of those are options for you or if time is at a premium, bring the exercise and movement to you. If your workplace has a workout room or gym nearby, great, you can use that a few times a week. If they do not, consider the stairs instead of the elevator (both ways). Also, park your car in a nearby lot or faraway place. You can even run out to it. Also, stretch at your desk and use the small hand weights or wear ankle or wrist weights and hide them under clothing. This will truly make every step and move count.Use your resistance bands and weights during lunch, on breaks or under your desk when no one is looking. Tighten your bottom, stand up and stretch and breathe deeply throughout the day. No one will even know you are trying to stay in shape.
6. When you are at home, consider jumping rope or playing any type of ball with the kids. In the summer, do not just watch, but jump in the pool with them.

Tips & Warnings

• It is not necessary to build up a sweat to exercise.
• Break exercise into smaller, more manageable bites throughout your busy day.