It All Adds Up!

 There are so many benefits to being more active more days per week. I feel more positive, calmer, and stronger immediately after a workout. So many benefits. Sadly, I am not able to put the time in EVERY day. (Sometimes not so sadly. Sometimes my couch sounds like a really great option.) For this reason, I try to find other ways to move more throughout the day. Think of all the activity adding up if you were active for just a few minutes a day.  Because of this, I thought it would be helpful to jot down some quick and easy ways to be active on the typical day. Here are my thoughts:

A.M.

1. Do squats while you brush your teeth.

2.  Make your bed as fast as you can. :)

3.  Take your dog for a lap around the block before work. 

Willow's face means: Walk? Sure.

4. If you don't have a dog, take your self for a walk around the block before work. Assuming your "block" is not too long to keep it quick. :)
5. Do lunges down the hallway while you wait for your coffee to brew.
6. Wake up 30 minutes earlier than usual and do your favorite workout dvd.  (If you don't have a workout dvd, bodyrock.tv 
is a great site with tons of at home workouts.)
Workday..whooo!

1. Challenge yourself to walk more.  I know this is said a lot, but as they say, "easier said than done". Challenge yourself to walk down the hall to talk to a colleague instead of e-mailing.  Park far away from the building. Take the stairs. (Bet you have never heard that one! ha) 

2. Ask two of three coworkers if they would be interested in a "walking challenge". (Teams of 4 or 5 people add up they number of miles they walk for the week and compete against the other teams to gain the most total mileage.) I participated in this at work last year and everyone got really into it! Other forms of activity counted also, so I found myself in the gym more often trying to win more miles for my team! It's a great way to track progress and stay motivated.

3.  Walk somewhere new for lunch.


P.M.
 .
1.  Lift water bottles while you watch T.V.

2.  Speed clean the house.

3.  Turn on some music and move around even more!

4.  Ask a friend to go for a walk instead of going out for drinks or dinner.

5.  Do push-ups on a wall.

6.  Rearrange your furniture

7.  Stretch.

8. Do crunches or push-ups on the commercial break. :)


Basically, being active doesn't have to take tons of time. Keep taking those stairs! :)


Bye!