How to Get Fit with Day to Day Activities

In the constant commotion of everyday life, it’s easy to neglect exercise. But a lack of physical activity isn’t good for your heart or your waistline. Instead of trying to cram a workout into your already packed schedule, try using day-to-day activities to achieve physical fitness.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Take the stairs. Instead of giving the elevator a workout, tone your buttocks and thighs and increase your heart rate with good old-fashioned stair climbing.
2. Walk as much as you can. Don’t fight for the closest parking spaces at the grocery store, but choose a spot farther away from the entrance if weather permits. Volunteer to walk the dog or check the mailbox at the end of the driveway instead of waiting for someone else to do it. You may even want to invest in a pedometer to monitor the steps you take each day. Set walking goals for yourself and try to beat your record.
3. Strengthen your muscles using everyday objects. Squeeze resistance training into your schedule by doing a few reps with tomato cans or bags of flour when you’re cooking in the kitchen or with bags of groceries after you go shopping.
4. Exercise while you’re at work. If you get an hour lunch break, use the first half-an-hour to go for a brisk walk around the block. If you sit behind a desk all day, alternate tightening your abs and your buttock muscles while sitting in your chair. Hold each for several seconds and do several repetitions. Or stand behind your desk chair lightly touching its back for balance. Extend your leg behind you and raise it repeatedly as high as you can, tightening your buttocks as you do so. Do several reps.
5. Be active. Perform jumping jacks, job in place or do leg lifts while you're waiting for a webpage to laod. Or try putting a treadmill or an exercise bike in front of your television. When your favorite show comes on, don’t be a couch potato!
6. Be creative. No one knows your lifestyle better than you. Try to think of interesting ways to work exercise into your day-to-day life.