Sneaking Fitness Into Your Daily Routine
By Stepy Kamei
We all know the importance of establishing a regular fitness routine. Countless studies have been conducted to show the direct correlation between people who exercise regularly, and lower instances of health risks such as obesity, heart disease, depression, and diabetes, to name just a few.
Yet despite all these benefits, many of us still find it difficult to find the time to actually commit to exercising on a regular basis. Maybe it feels too intimidating to jump into starting up a routine, or maybe we're just not sure how to get started. Regardless of what's holding you back, there are ways in which you can slowly build up exercise into your everyday routine. This way, you can ease into a more active lifestyle and start experiencing benefits to your health right away!
Staying Fit While Running Errands
If you find yourself hardly having the time to run errands and chores, let alone start up a fitness regimen, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn about the ways in which you can combine the two!
For instance, consider walking or biking to the grocery store when possible, as opposed to driving. If you do need to drive, park your car at the very edge of the parking lot, so you have to walk farther to get to the store. Furthermore, while out and about, choose to take longer routes, and opt for using stairs rather than escalators and elevators. These adjustments may seem minor, but they're a great way to sneak some cardio into your daily routine!
Keeping Active While Working
Whether you're working from home or in an office environment, you're probably spending a significant amount of time sitting down. Be sure to set reminders for yourself to stand up and stretch at least once an hour or so. This will help keep you flexible, and it will also stimulate blood flow, which can improve feelings of focus, energy, and productivity. Take a walk around your office or workspace at least a few times a day to get some movement in. You may want to consider going for a walk outside during your breaks as well, as this will help boost your physical and mental well-being.
You may even want to consider swapping out your desk chair for an exercise ball, at least intermittently, in order to get a sneaky core workout!
More Helpful Tips
In order to help you really commit to adding more movement to your day, you'll want to make sure you're supporting your body and giving it the fuel it needs to stay active! Be sure to do your best to eat foods which are high in nutritional content and low in sugar, fat, and salt content. Lean proteins, fresh produce, and whole grains are important staples to turn to with your meals. It's equally important to stay hydrated throughout the day as well, so make sure you're drinking enough water every day. Tea, coffee, and even juice don't count in terms of hydrating your body. If you don't like the taste of water, consider adding fresh slices of fruit or sprigs of herbs for a more appealing taste.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Highlands Ranch, Colo.