BEAUTY AND FASHION
Article by Mayo Clinic Staff
Simple Ways to Add Physical Fitness
to Your Daily Routine
(BPT) - Being resourceful with your daily routine can deliver big payoffs when it comes to increasing your activity level. Incorporating physical fitness into your everyday activities can save you time and also burn calories, and it doesn't have to take much time or effort. "For many people, the biggest obstacle to getting more exercise is time," says Danielle Johnson, physical therapist and wellness physical therapist for the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program. "People feel stretched between their career, child care demands and family commitments. Thinking of spending an hour extra at the gym may feel overwhelming."
If you don't have time to fit in a scheduled workout, try using daily tasks to incorporate fitness, Johnson advises. "You'll still be able to reap the benefits of exercise by using small bouts of movement throughout the day. Two 10-minute walks, a few sets of stairs and some five-minute intervals of bodyweight squats, lunges or push-ups can add up to big health benefits."
Here are some tips to get moving throughout the day:
Turn chores into exercise.
* Mow the lawn or do some gardening. The physical benefit is good for your health, plus gardening can enhance your mood, and the food you grow offers great nutritional benefits.
* Try bicycling to run errands. Leave the car in the garage and bring out your bike for a quick run to the grocery store.
* Turn household cleaning into a mini workout. "For example, mopping floors gives your shoulders and back a workout, and can burn more than 100 calories in just 30 minutes," Johnson says.