From MommyB Knows Best Fitness Correspondent Bobby Demuro:
Losing weight, or maintaining a healthy weight, really comes down to calorie consumption; you must expend more calories than you consume. But even knowing that, not everyone even enjoys hitting the gym – or has the time to commit an hour or two a day at a fitness center.
But that’s where everyday life comes in handy. Making small adjustments in regular daily activities can give your metabolism a boost, slim your waistline and help you live longer. In effect, you can get a workout in every day without even realizing it – and it will benefit your body, your health, and your family without feeling like a burden on your time!
Check out these eight tips to get moving a little bit more every day – without hitting the gym for two hours at a time!
Park And Walk
Yes, it’s hot in the summer, and a burden if you’re carrying bags or groceries – but just park it already! No more scouting out the spot closest to the door. Park as far away as possible (make sure you’re in a safe area) and walk quickly or even jog to the door. Raising your heart rate slightly can have a huge effect on your fitness level over time!
Take The Stairs
This tip is a no-brainer, and we know you’ve heard it before, but are you actually doing it? Taking the stairs elevates your heart rate compared to taking the elevator, works your core muscles, and maintains your lower body. If you run up the stairs for 10 minutes, an average size woman (130 pounds) will burn roughly 150 calories.
Just Horse Around!
Playing with your kids can be a fun, easy and hardcore workout! They love to be tossed around, chased and twirled. Play tag for 10 minutes and burn 50 calories. Get creative with how you play, and make it a point to be active every day with them; it’ll make you healthier and teach them great fitness habits for life!
Home Improvement
Get the benefit of exercise while you save a little bit of money – tackle home improvement projects yourself! You can even make it as simple as rearranging furniture: spend the afternoon trying new living room configurations and you’ll burn 60 calories for every 10 minutes of furniture moving. Just be sure to life with your legs and watch your lower back!
Holiday Health
Now that the holidays are here, do you hang ornaments, reindeer, or other decorations around the house and yard? Well, that requires calories! Instead of hiring somebody to do it, or forcing your spouse with a “honey-do” list, hang what you can yourself – and burn calories for the several hours you move around to do it! Enjoy the holidays and drop a little weight before those big holiday meals!
Take a Stand
Standing requires you to use your core. Simply standing up burns 40 more calories per hour than sitting. Choose to stand while talking on the phone, waiting for your plane to board or working at your computer (easier to do if you have a laptop, though some offices will adjust desk heights). Even better, take a walk the next time you talk to a co-worker rather than picking up the phone!
Power Play
Many recreational activities have devices that cut down on the energy you expend – so do yourself a favor and don’t use them. For instance, if you play golf, walk the course rather than renting a cart. Use a dozen tennis balls, and pick them up constantly, rather using a bucket of 150 balls to work on your serve. Think movement!
About the Author: Bobby DeMuro is the Executive Director of NoFizz Charlotte, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting healthy hydration throughout the Carolinas through community education events and student outreach programs. He resides in Charlotte with his dog, Dakota. For more information on NoFizz Charlotte, visit www.nofizzclt.org.
The parking far away is so true. I frequent the gym 3-4 times a week and the funniest thing is when I watch people circling the GYM parking lot to find a closer spot. Your at the gym, walk already.
@Chefwife – haha! Glad you like it! Thanks for the feeback!