Kids, work, cooking, household chores, shopping, phone calls, etc. all add up to a busy day. How can a busy person include an exercise regime in their already crowded day?
If you drive to work, park further away in the parking lot; take the stairs instead of the elevator; while talking on the phone walk around or do some isometric exercises.
The parking lot: Don’t circle around looking for the closest parking space to the door of the store or the office. By parking further away, save time and gas, and get a few minutes of extra exercise.
Does the workplace have stairs; are there stairs in the shopping center? Use them. Walk some stairs and get some exercise. In a high story building, walk up the stairs part way, then take the elevator the rest of the way.
Walk to lunch or walk during lunch break. If bringing lunch to work, eat and then walk outside for a few minutes or around the office; do a few sets of stairs. An hour of walking on level ground burns 175 calories; carry some groceries back to the car and burn 230 calories.
There are exercises and stretches to do while sitting at your desk. While cooking use canned goods to perform bicep curls. Light cleaning (dusting, vacuuming, straightening up) burns almost 100 calories per hour. Play tag or hide ‘n seek with the kids. Exercise during TV commercials: alternate push ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks and arm circles or sit on a fit ball and bounce.
Nancy L. Fitness 