So what is stopping you? Given all the benefits, just about everyone wants to exercise, but too often, obstacles get in the way. What if you really rather not exercise… at all? Then don’t. You do not need to engage in that formal activity known as “exercise” to get the benefits. Just a little more oomph behind the things you do anyway every day, find a few activities you enjoy and find ways to get your body moving a little more often. Here are some of the activities that you can find it useful during your daily living.
1. Play With Children
Kids love swings and merry-go-rounds, and pushing them provides great arm exercise. Join in older children’s games. Play tag. Go roller skating. Jump rope. Climb a play structure. Take a swim or a bike ride or a rowboat outing on a lake. You will have so much fun, you won’t notice that you are exercising.
2. Sweep Some Snow
Unless you are in reasonably good shape, stick to small accumulations of dry, powdery snow, the kind that can be swept with a broom. Snow shoveling can be very strenuous, and every winter people experience heart attacks from overexertion. If you are out of shape or have heart disease or significant risk factors for heart disease (family history, smoking, diabetes, obesity, elevated blood pressure or cholesterol), do not shovel heavy, wet snow or major accumulations.
3. Make The Most Of Phone Time
Do not sit while talking on the phone-pace. Invest in a longer handset cord so you can walk farther, or get a cordless phone. If you must stand in one spot, march in place, raising your knees high. Or rise to your tip-toes. Do this five times, then do five knee bends. When you get ready, do ten. Or keep a small three-pound weight or a canned food item nearby and do some weight training curls and presses. (For curls: With your arm straight, hold the weight down by your hip. Then bend your elbow and bring the weight up to your shoulder. For presses: Start with your arm in the curled position, then straighten it over your head.) Do five of each. When you feel ready, do ten.
4. Cancel “food dates”
Instead of meeting friends for lunch, coffee or dessert, make dates to take walks, go dancing or go for bike rides. Or make a date to visit a health club. Most health clubs allow free one-time visits to check out the facility. Try several.
5. Take The Stairs Instead Of The Elevator
If you are out of shape, start by walking down. When you feel ready, walk up partway and work up to climbing all the way. When climbing stairs no longer leaves you winded, climb a little faster.
6. Mow The Lawn
Pushing a power mower provides surprisingly good exercise. Or for a somewhat more strenuous workout, retire your power mower and invest in a push model. You may even find that the lack of fumes and a quieter machine make this onerous task more pleasant.
7. Make Breaks Count
During TV commercials or breaks at work, get up and stretch or walk around. Encourage your housemates and co-workers to join you.
Raymond Lee is one of the foremost experts in the health and fitness industry and is the Founder of Bodyfixes Group specializing in body health, muscle development and dieting. He is currently the author of the latest edition of "Neck Exercises and Workouts." Visit http://www.bodyfixes.com for more information.
