Get Your Exercise – Without Actually Exercising

With a few minor adjustments it is possible to get the exercise that is suggested and not go out of your way or spend money at the gym!

When you think about exercising, have you ever wondered how you can fit it into your already busy day? That is what always crosses my mind…where do I work it in? Even a 30 minutes a few times a week sounds like a lot of time to spare when dinner needs to be cooked and the house needs to be cleaned, not to mention the errands to run and the mandatory work functions to attend.

One of my coworkers, due to advice from her doctor, began to work her recommended dose of exercise into her daily routine successfully by making small shifts to her daily life. It makes sense - especially to some of us that are pressed for time already. Here is how it all began for her.

The first thing that my coworker bought was a pedometer. She wore it everyday and made it her goal to get in 8,000 steps each day. Instead of parking by the front door to the office, she would park at the other end of the parking lot. You've got the idea; instead of taking the elevator, she climbed the stairs. When she left for lunch, she would go three or four times as far as what she would have normally walked in a day - and work was just the start. When she went to the mall, the grocery store or any errand, she made it a point to park further away and get a little walking in.

By making this change, she was starting to lose weight and get into the habit of more physical activity by essentially changing very little of her daily routine. After watching her lead, I began to adopt some of her ideas myself. Working in the yard became less of a chore, and more of a way to get exercise - just like carrying in the groceries, or running down into the basement for something. Before, I would try to make as few trips as possible (saving my loads to the basement to be efficient), but now I am now trying to make as many as I can…and I can attest that it does make a difference!

If you are not fond of, or have time of physical activity - know that you don't have to make a change in the routine of your life to gain a healthy lifestyle; keep your routine with a few small modifications and you are sure to get in your exercise and get on the path to superb health.