When thinking about exercise, we need to realise that there is actually no need to spend a lot of money on equipment, having a personal trainer or even getting a gym membership. All we need do is add bits of physical activity into our daily lives. I normally walk the mile and a half to work. Yes, it does take me twenty five minutes or so. But, by the time I would have opened the garage door, got the car out, closed the garage door, got from our cull de sac onto the minor road traffic jam, waited for the traffic lights and turned on to the main road, waited for the traffic lights two hundred yards down the road and etc, it really does not take that much longer. The benefits are self evident. I get a reasonable amount of exercise every working day. I do not have to pay for diesel and my car does not get the wear it otherwise would, and, I am helping to save the environment. A win, win, win situation.
Now think about what you could do to add a little useful activity in to your life.
1. Mow the lawns, hoe between plants to kill weeds, sweep the paths and other yard work will help to keep your body moving and may even help with flexibility.
2. If you drive to work, park the car at the far end of the car park and walk a few extra yards. It will do you good and probably save on time looking for a free parking bay. The same goes for when going shopping, park away from the entrance to use your leg muscles a bit more.
3. Once in the building, use the stairs instead of taking the elevator both going up and down. After a while you will feel the benefits of this card activity.
4. If you take a bus or subway to work, get on and off a stop after or before your usual one to add a bit of walking time.
5. What about in the house? Making the bed will include some lifting and bending. Using the vacuum will also involve arm and leg movement. Ironing involves standing up and some arm movement.
6. Think about going for a constitutional walk after lunch or dinner when at home. Go with the family and catch up on events while you are doing it. The fresh air and exercise of a brisk walk will do all of you some good.
7. Do you have a pet dog? If so taking it for a good walk will do both of you the world of good.
These are just a few ideas to start getting the body moving. Once you get started, you will no doubt think of other ways that you can incorporate useful exercise into your daily routine. Having got to the stage of doing some or all of these things on a daily basis, it may be time to get a little more serious about raising the pulse rate for a bit longer. I treated myself to a Concept 2 rowing machine and listen to Tina Turner while burning calories. This will not work for many of you but rowing is quite low impact on the joints and just about gets at all the muscle groups.
Please put your own suggestions for daily exercise in the comments section below. I am sure many of you will have lots of ideas to help me add to what I already do.
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