As adults it is recommended we have at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week to stay healthy. If you want to avoid exercise, you will need to find ways to be more active in your daily routine. The article was co-authored by Michele Dolan.
Listed below are some recommendations for fitting more activity into your day:
Always take the stairs rather than an elevator or escalator.
Park further away and take the long way around to the entrance of a building.
Do your own shopping and forget the free delivery and grocery pickups.
Walk or bike instead of driving.
Do not sit for longer than 30 minutes at a time. Walk around more.
Try using a fitness ball rather than a chair at the office.
Use walking meetings in lieu of a sit-down meeting with colleagues and friends.
When waiting around, stand up to burn more calories.
Avoid the drive-through businesses and go inside to conduct your business.
Even fidgeting, tapping your toes and drumming your fingers burns calories.
Do not go from your work desk to the couch at home. Move around first.
Take walks to the park and different parts of your city. They can be short.
Try activity games such as Wii Fit, Wii Tennis, dance, dance revolution, etc.
Tackle those household chores you’ve put off to use up extra energy.
Always choose those healthy sources of carbohydrates.
Get up and dance during the commercial breaks.
Take a dog or pet for a walk. If you don’t have one, walk someone else’s.
Goof around with your kids in the yard or park. Play games with them outside.
Buy a ball as they are fun when you’re by yourself, too.
How about that adult time in the bedroom? No better exercise (or fun).
Pick veggies and fruits with lots of color for the nutrients you need.
Choose the low-fat protein or protein with healthy fats rather than saturated.
Avoid meats that are high in saturated fat.
Avoid sugar and processed foods when you can.
Measure those portion sizes to keep within your limits.
Try eating smaller meals throughout the day and skip those 3 big meals.
Last but not least, check your caloric intake to maintain your weight.
You can’t be physically fit without eating a balanced diet where the body burns what you consume. Watching your diet and stepping up your normal daily activity should increase your stamina and keep you fit.