Let's Get Moving

By the time we get home from a long day filled with work and activities, who has the time to spare for exercise? Well, you are not the only one with this feeling. This is the number one statement heard day in and day out. We all know that if we stick to an exercise regime, we will eventually feel better. The challenge is finding a balance in our busy schedule; after all, we are not all looking to complete a marathon. Some of us are simply looking for ways to incorporate exercise into our daily routine. Why not incorporate intermittent sessions of exercise all day long?

Here are some ideas on how to add exercise into your day without having to take a shower before heading back to the office:

• Take the stairs. Often, there is an opportunity to climb the stairs versus the elevator or even the escalators. Take the time to journey up the stairs to and from the office. If your floor is just too high, how about climbing a couple of floors before jumping into the elevator.

• In today’s airports, we have walkways that move us along in the terminals. You may want to try jumping off and walking your way through. These are small opportunities to raise your heart rate and get some movement into your day. Let’s recall that not too long ago we did without these conveniences, so a little more climbing and walking will not hurt us.

• Pick the furthest parking spot. Why not take a couple of more steps every time you park? Is it really going to add that much more time to your day? Not likely, but it will add significantly to your miles walked per day.

• Get outside at lunch. Even with a half hour lunch, take at least 10 minutes to walk around. We have become prisoners to our chairs. Get up and stretch out those hip flexors and take in some fresh air. Even in the winter months, it is a good idea to leave a pair of sneakers under your desk. So many of us are spending our lunches in front of our computer; this is even more of a reason for us to get outside. You would be surprised at the positive impact a daily walk has on our minds and bodies

• Participate. If you have children in your life, play with them, often. Children are the best form of exercise, but only if you participate and not simply watch from the side lines. Use your playground time to your advantage, try pull ups on the monkey bars, hamstring work out on the swing sets, and squats as you are watching the children.

• Work around the house. Cleaning both inside and outside are great forms of exercise so pick up the speed. Not only will you be exercising, you can cut your chore time down as well.

No matter what the circumstances, we can always find excuses for exercise. Fight the urge to fall into a monotonous routine, and make small changes to add exercise to your day. Remember that just because you do not break into a sweat does not mean that you are not being active. An active lifestyle will promote energy and well-being. Who knows - once you start, you may find that you enjoy the rush of getting yourself in gear and you may start to willingly prioritize allocating time for exercise. Make the changes that fit you and your life style and the rest will fall into place.